Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Khuzdul"

"Greenspeech"

"Sindarin"

The peaceful lands of the Shire were noted for their rolling verdant hills, rich with vegetation and home to many a creature. Most notable were the Hobbits, small creatures with large hairy feet, round bellies and leaf shaped ears. They made their homes in the rolling hills of the Shire, farming the land and living simple but joyous lives. Though there were a few exceptions to such a general rule. One such exception was one Miss Billana Belladonna Baggins, most commonly known as Billa and by Bilbo to only her closest friends, much to the horror of her more conservative relatives.

Billa Baggins was the daughter of Belladonna Baggins nee Took and her husband Bungo, and at thirty-six years old, already Master of her Estate with the passing of her father not three winters prior. Being the only child of to one of the wealthiest families within the Shire, Billa was considered one of the most eligible heiresses in all of the Shire… or would be if she were not as queer as she was. For Billa was more like her Mother than many of her Baggins relations would have liked. With a perchance for adventure and “wearing trousers!” (Billa’s Aunt Camellia would often exclaim) Billa had – not that she minded a whit – earned herself the title of Mad Baggins. One she would often tell her younger Took cousins, she was quite proud of.

The young hobbit-lass had indeed also taken up her late Mother’s role as Ambassador for the Shire, and often travelled to both Ered Luin, Mithlond, and Rivendell to speak on behalf of her Cousin and Uncle, the Thain and Master of Buckland respectively.

It was after one such visit to Ered Luin, to Thorin’s Halls in the ruins the dwarven city of Nogrod, that Billa found herself riding her pony – a skewbald mare with a sweet disposition she had fondly named Myrtle – through the Shire making her way home from the Great Smials of Tuckborough. She had just returned to give her report to her Cousin Fortinbras before making her way back to her home: Bag End. As she rode Billa greeted those she knew kindly and ignored the whispers and the sneers of the more conservative Hobbits she had the displeasure of knowing. Upon reaching the end of Bagshot Row, Billa stabled Myrtle with Farmer Cotton, one of her tenants, before making her way up the road to her smial – the largest smial Under the Hill, and her Father’s wedding gift to her Mother. Upon reaching the Green painted door a sigh of relief left the hobbit-lass and a small but bright smile settled upon her plump rosebud lips.

“Home, sweet Home,” she murmured as she fished her key from around her neck and unlocked the door, a habit she had picked up after the last time she left the Shire for an unknown amount of time and Lobelia and Otho Sackville-Baggins had happily strolled right in and set up shop as it were. Easily crossing the threshold to place her pack down, Billa closed the door and headed straight for the bath. It had been just under two weeks since she’d been home, and she had a great desire to soak in the bath before seeking out some luncheon. After she had cleaned herself up and eaten her fill, Billa found herself seated just outside her door on her father’s smoking bench with a book and a mug of tea, her father’s pipe in between her lips as she blew smoke rings and relaxed.

Closing her eyes for a moment to enjoy the sweet scent of Longbottom Leaf, she ended up in a coughing fit as the smoke appeared to change direction suddenly choosing to blow into her face. Opening green eyes, only to be presented with a familiar sight.

“Good morning” she greeted with a repressed smile.

“What do you mean? Do you mean to wish me a good morning, or do you mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not? Or, perhaps you mean to say that you feel good on this particular morning. Or are you simply stating that this is a morning to be good on?” the Wizard replied, blue eyes twinkling with badly concealed mirth.

“I mean to greet you Wizard, and perhaps wish a good morning to you. Though I do suppose all meanings could apply,” Billa said, breaking into a knowing grin “what has brought you to my humble smial today Gandalf?”

“Ah well as it happens, I am looking for someone to share in an adventure” the Grey Pilgrim answered with a smile.

“I would say you would be hard pressed to find someone this side of Bree, but we both know that’s not true now do sit-down Gandalf and tell me what it is I should be expecting,” Billa answered her grin turning into a sly smirk. The Grey Istar, simply smiled and stepped through the gate to take a seat next to the young hobbit-lass who shifted her book to the nearby outdoor table along with her mug.

“The full details will be explained when the Company is all together of course, but first I should ask, are you willing to host thirteen Dwarrow and myself for dinner tomorrow evening my dear?”

“I would be honoured of course Gandalf, are these Dwarrow from Ered Luin?” the hobbit-lass responded taking another pull of Longbottom Leaf.

“Indeed, they are, dear Bilbo, and they are in need of the fourteenth member to join them on their journey,” Gandalf answered.

“Ah yes, the Dwarrow are rather superstitious when it comes to the number thirteen aren’t they. And where is it that this journey is taking them, Gandalf?”

“To reclaim a Home for Durin’s Folk, my dear.”

“They would not dare try and reclaim Moria so soon after Azanulbizar, their numbers do not have the strength for it. Gundabad, is nothing but an Orc infested ant-hill now, so that leaves either the colonies within the Grey Mountains or Erebor. So, do tell me Gandalf, which wyrm infested location shall be their destination?” Billa questioned shrewdly, her knowledge of Arda’s history once more surprising the Grey Pilgrim.

“Erebor, my dear. Ered Mithrin has long been lost to the Dwarrow, none would dare test the wyrms of that region.”

“I see, well I shan’t keep you from your duties Gandalf. I shall see you on the morrow for dinner, and wait to hear the remaining details till then,” Billa said after a few minutes of contemplation.

“See you tomorrow evening dear Bilbo, I shall go and inform the others then,” the Istar responded standing with ease from the bench and with a small pat of the hobbit-lass’ shoulder took his leave. Billa watched the Wizard leave, green eyes thoughtful as she considered what information she’d been able to glean from the short discussion. While the Wizard was known for speaking in riddles, Billa found she was rather good at deciphering them.

“So, you’ve found a way to enter the Mountain then, Grey One,” she muttered under her breath in the Green Tongue, the language of her people. Snuffing out her Father’s pipe, the hobbit-lass rose from the bench book, pipe, and mug in hand as she re-entered her smial.

By the time Gandalf had returned to leave his mark upon the round Green door, Billa was busy elbow deep in dough, as she began to cook for the rather unexpected party she would be throwing the following evening.

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By tea-time the following day, Billa had finalised the last of the baked goods for the dinner she was to be hosting, with a skilful eye she checked over the roasting meats, the slow cooked stew, and the roasting vegetables. Satisfied they would be fine for a short while, she went about getting cleaned up for the event. After her bath she deftly braided the length of wet copper curls into a simple three strand braid over her shoulder, before dressing herself in a pair of trousers, loose blouse and one of her embroidered bodices. There was no harm in looking decent for company as the Gentle-Hobbit she was supposed to be.

By the time she had returned to the kitchen to finish up the last odds and ends, it wasn’t long before she heard the first knock at the door.

“Coming,” she called out, drying off her hands as she left the kitchen. Opening the door Billa found herself face to chest with a tall Dwarf, one of whom she was vaguely familiar with.

“Dwalin son of Fundin. At your service,” the Dwarf bowed.

“Welcome Master Dwalin, I assume you are the first of the companions Gandalf spoke of when I met with him?” Billa asked.

“Indeed I am.”

“Wonderful, please do come in. My name is Billa Baggins and welcome to Bag- End,” she replied stepping out of the way to allow the tall, broad Dwarrow entrance, before continuing gesturing as she spoke “please make yourself comfortable, you can place you weapons to the right there in the chest and hang your cloak up just by the door here. If you don’t mind, please leave your boots here in the entrance way, my smial’s carpets would be very grateful.” Her amused smile, was met with an expression of surprise by the Dwarrow, who complied with her wishes without a word.

“Now, if you follow me to the kitchen I may have something to tide you over until your fellows join us. Tell me Master Dwalin, do you happen to like cookies?” Billa asked, leading the Dwarrow she knew to be the Guard Captain of Thorin’s Halls through her smial and into the kitchen. She had a hard time repressing the amused smirk that tugged at her lips as she was met with a rather enthusiastic “Yes!” from the Dwarrow. Once she had settled Dwalin at a seat in the kitchen with a plate of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies sat in front of him, the hobbit-lass returned to her meal preparations.  A short time later another knock came from the door.

“Please enjoy your cookies Master Dwalin, I’ll get the door,” she said breezing past the Guard Captain before he had even started to get out of his seat. On opening the door this time, Billa revealed yet another familiar Dwarrow; this one with hair and beard as white as pure snow, and of shorter stature then the one in her kitchen.

“Welcome Master Dwarf, one of your fellows has already arrive. My name is Billa Baggins and welcome to Bag- End,” the hobbit-lass said ushering the Dwarf who went by the name Balin, into her smial before giving him the same run down she had Dwalin. Once his weapons, boots, and cloak were dealt with Billa lead the Dwarrow to her kitchen. Upon sighting Dwalin seated at the small table she kept in the kitchen, Balin cried out,

“Brother!” A large grin on his face. Dwalin returned it as he stood to greet his brother.

“Oh, by my beard, ye’re shorter and wider than last we met,” Dwalin cried boisterously.

“Wider, not shorter. Still sharp enough for the both of us,” the white bearded dwarf replied gripping his brother’s shoulders. The two laughed as they headbutted each other, and Billa looked on with curiosity.

She had already determined that some of the Noble-Dwarrow must be behind the quest, but to have both the Captain of the Guards and the King-in-Exile’s Chief Advisor greeting each other in her kitchen was not something she had been expecting. At the next knock, Billa slipped from the room as the two continued to catch up to answer it.

However, when she opened it she had not been expecting to see the both Princes-In-Exile, and her dear friend’s sons before her and was struck speechless.

“Fíli,” the blonde of the two began.

“Kíli,” the darker-haired said before they bowed speaking in unison.

“At your service.”

“You must be Miss Boggins,” Kíli grinned. The cheek of the youngest Prince startling her out of her stupor.

“Billa Baggins at you and your family’s service,” she responded with a deep curtsey, “please do come in Master Dwarrow, and make yourselves comfortable. If you would take of your boots and place them with your fellows’ over there, I can take your cloaks while you store your weaponry over to the right there, in that chest.” Billa made sure to keep her tone somewhat firm with the young Dwarrow, recalling many a story Dis had told her during her ambassadorial visits with the Princess-In-Exile. She kept her eye on the two as she bid them follow her. Once in the kitchen the Princes, greeted both Sons of Fundin.

“I do so hate to interrupt Master Dwarrow. But if I could enlist you to shift the dining table into the parlour, we should be able to fit your companions a might easier then where it is currently,” Billa said politely.

“Of course, Miss Baggins,” Balin responded, before turning to his brother and the Princes, “come on lads.” Billa followed the four Dwarrow helping to shift the chairs into the new location, she then directed the removal of some of the more delicate items from the parlour and into her study and sunroom where they would be at less risk at being broken. Once the table was set with enough chairs, Billa enlisted the Dwarrow’s help ferrying the feast she had cooked up onto the table. About half way through there was another knock at the door.

“That’ll be the door lass,” Dwalin said as he helped young Fíli to carry the pot of stew.

“Of course, just set the pot in the middle of the table, I’ll just be a moment,” she responded. It took some quick manoeuvring to avoid being flattened by the eight Dwarrow who came tumbling into her smial, the Grey Pilgrim smiling from where he stood behind them.

“Oh dear, is everyone alright?” she asked helping the Dwarrow up from the pile, “welcome to my Bag-End Master Dwarrow, my name is Billa Baggins. Now please if you would. If you would take of your boots and place them with your fellows’ over there, I can take your cloaks while you store your weaponry over to the right there, in that chest.” Once the Dwarrow were on their feet and their belongings stowed, she enlisted a few to see to bringing a few barrels of ale and a cask or two of wine up from the cellar, while the remainder she set to work helping the Sons of Fundin and the Princes.

Gandalf stepped into the smial chuckling lowly as Billa easily took charge of the situation. He’d known this would be good for her, while being entirely too amusing to him

Satisfied everything was in order, Billa invited the Dwarrow to begin. After a quick head count she noted only twelve Dwarrow, curious she turned to ask the nearest Dwarf only for her curiosity to turn into pure surprise followed immediately by concern.

“Nori?!” she exclaimed. The star-haired Dwarf turned to face her and exclaimed just as surprised,

“Bilbo?!”

“What are you doing here? Especially considering the Captain of the Guard is in this very smial?!” she demanded, her voice dropping into a whisper as she pulled the Dwarf up from the table and away into the Hall, much to the surprise (and suspicion) of the other Dwarrow.

“My younger sister signed on for the quest, and I refuse to let both my sister and brother go on this suicide mission on their own when I might be able to save them,” Nori responded lowly.

“There’s more to it then that Nori, you’ve always been terrible at lying to me,” Billa said shrewdly, green eyes narrowed on the thief.

“When I went to steal the contracts, there was an assassination attempt on the Princes. I managed to thwart it, but due to my history, to avoid arrest I was only given two options. The Quest or my head,” the Dwarrow thief explained.

“Are they idiots?” Billa hissed under her breath, “you’re a thief, not an assassin. You also refuse to harm children or young ones.”

“Things aren’t great in Nartumunzahar at the moment Bil,” Nori responded quietly, his voice weary, “the mines are drying up, the amount of food that can be bought grows lower each week, there was also another mine collapse. I hate to say it, but Durin’s Folk really do need another option.”

“Why on earth didn’t Dis tell me there were problems with buying food? I would have been able to formulate a new treaty with Fortinbras to ensure your people are fed, its not like we can’t afford it with how bountiful our harvests have been recently!” Billa exclaimed, her voice raising in level and catching the attention of the other Dwarrow. Nori shushed her before dragging her into her study.

“She hasn’t been able to get through Thorin’s pride, from what I’ve heard he refuses to take charity,” the theif responded.

“It is not Charity!” Billa exploded out, “no Hobbit would see another starve! We know all too well what that feels like!” Nori was taken aback slightly but sighed.

“There’s not much we can do about it now,” he said.

“Like Yavanna’s sweet earth there isn’t!” Billa growled before marching over to her desk to pen a letter to her Cousin. Indicating that she would put money forward from the Baggins Estate to help provide for the community of New Nogrod and Thorin’s Halls. “Your community will not suffer due to their King’s blasted pride Nori, I will not let it,” she explained, as she penned another letter; this one directly to Dis, explaining her actions.

“You aren’t serious Bil,” Nori exclaimed reading her letter to her Cousin.

“Deadly serious Nori, I will not let anyone starve if I can help it. Now go re-join your companions before they become more suspicious, I’ll be along shortly and then I expect you to introduce me to your family,” Billa responded stonily, before lightening it towards the end.

“As you say Bil,” Nori said, leaving her in the study as she began to pen yet another letter; this one to her lawyer Balgo Fisher explaining that she would be leaving for an indeterminant amount of time and that she wanted her second Cousin Drogo – and his betrothed, her Cousin Primula Brandybuck – to care for Bag-End and take up the title of Master of Bag-End while she was away, and that under no circumstance was Lobelia and her husband Otho Sackville-Baggins to get their grubby little hands on it; if in doubt he was to refer to his copy of her will. Billa composed yet another letter to Fortinbras, explaining she’d been called away from her duties by Gandalf and that she believed that Sigismond Took, their mutual cousin would be an adequate substitute as Sigismond had a way with the Dwarrow of Ered Luin. As for Rivendell, she wrote that she would organise to pass through if she could so as to ensure the treaty’s already in place were suitably stable before her journey continued.

Affairs in order, one last letter was written to Drogo and Primula, explaining the circumstances and that she hoped they would keep the Gamgee’s on as Caretakers of Bag-End’s gardens while they took up the Estate’s upkeep. The letter also detailed where they could find her will if it was required. Satisfied, Billa sealed each document with her official seal and gathered up the letters. Leaving her study, she passed quietly by the raucous party happening in her parlour and left her smial to place the documents into her letterbox to go out with the first post at dawn. Returning to the party, Billa made sure to grab herself a plate of food and strode over to Nori, who to Billa’s delight had not heard her and as such jumped in his seat when she called his name.

“Ack, Bil! Don’t do that,” he hissed, marsh green eyes catching her amused smirk.

“Do what Nori? It’s not my fault you did not hear me,” she teased, “now I do remember you saying both your brother and sister were with us, so do be a dear and introduce me.”

Billa was incredibly pleased to meet Nori’s sweet younger sister Ori. The Dwarrowdam had a sweet face, her eyes a deeper green with flecks of blue that mirror the ocean, her beard downy in comparison to the coarser facial hair of the Dwarrow, and beautifully braided. The Dwarrowdam had taken to the hobbit-lass when they began to speak in depth about the ‘dam’s craft, and love of history. Nori’s older brother Dori had been taken with the hobbit-lass, who had charmed him with talk of tea and fabric’s. Nori had been both surprised and just a bit horrified at how quickly Billa had ingratiated herself with his siblings before begging leave to introduce herself properly to the Ur’s.

After a thrilling discussion with Bombur over cooking, and an amusing chat with his brother Bofur – as both translator for their cousin Bifur, and active participant – Billa suddenly remembered they were one Dwarf short. Glancing over the party of Dwarrow sat at her dining table, she decided that the Sons of Fundin would likely have the answers she was looking for, and if not, well they were sat relatively close to the Wizard. Approaching the two Dwarrow, Billa interrupted softly,

“Begging your pardons Good sirs, but I noticed that you appear to be one short. Will they be requiring a meal? And if so would you like me to set aside a plate or two and keep them warm in the oven?” Balin studied her for a moment, blue eyes shrewd before he spoke.

“You are quite right Miss Baggins, we are awaiting our leader. I dare say he will be hungry when he joins us so setting aside some food likely won’t go astray with the way this lot have taken to it,” the Advisor said kindly, though his eyes never lost the shrewd glint. Billa simply smiled sweetly, she expected no less from the King-In-Exile’s Advisor, it was clear the Dwarf was as perceptive and calculating as they come, and she knew Nori! Bowing her head to both Noble’s, Billa set about setting aside some food for the leader of the Company; a leader Billa had her suspicions about. When she returned from the kitchen – set aside food warming in the oven – she was not very surprised by the drinking contest she walked in on.

Indeed, she found it quite amusing, so skirting around the Dwarrow at the table she turned to a cask of wine and poured herself a glass. Sipping at it slowly as she watched as the contest turned from drink to belching. Billa had spent enough time in the company of Dwarrow that she took no offense to what would be considered most disrespectful by Hobbit etiquette.  She cheered as Ori won the competition. Billa took her glass of wine and took to leaning in the doorway. Happy to simply observe the party, what she hadn’t been expecting is the Prince’s shenanigans with her Mother’s West Farthing crockery. Nor the particular rough handling of the cutlery, and while she greatly enjoyed the song; she would easily admit her heart had been in her throat at times watching the Dwarrow toss and pass her beloved mother’s crockery about. While the only real value was sentiment, they did mean a great deal to her regardless.

Entering the kitchen, she was relieved to find everything neatly stacked on her kitchen table. The laughter of the Dwarrow was silenced by yet one last knock on the door.

“He’s here,” Gandalf said.

“Yes, lets just be ominous Grey One,” Billa snarked under her breath at the Wizard as she and the rest of the Dwarrow followed him to the door. Gandalf opened the door revealing a rather well dress Dwarrow, his silvered dark hair long, and eyes a deep blue. Billa knew who he was without him speaking a word.

“Gandalf. I thought you said this place would be easy to find. I lost my way, twice. Wouldn’t have found it at all had it not been for that mark on the door.”

“Mark? Gandalf did you mark my freshly painted door,” Billa scolded the Wizard with a frown. Who responded with a sheepish smile,

“Ah yes, there is a mark. Billa Baggins, allow me to introduce the leader of our company, Thorin Oakenshield.”

“Oh, I know exactly who stands in my doorway Grey One,” Billa snarked before turning to face the King-In-Exile and greeting him with a curtsy, “welcome to Bag-End your Grace, Billa Baggins at your service.”

“So, this is the Hobbit. Tell me, Miss Baggins, have you done much fighting?” the King-In-Exile questioned as he circled the hobbit-lass. Refraining from rolling her eyes, she met the King’s eyes with raised brow.

“Pardon me?” she asked, knowing full well what he was asking.

“Axe or sword? What’s your weapon of choice?” he queried, arrogance oozing from his stance.

“I have a rather good handle on my cast-iron skillet, my Lord,” she sneered, leaving politeness be for the moment, interrupting him before he could spout anything more insulting, “but to answer your question I am trained mostly in the use of throwing daggers and a short blade.” Taking a breath to reign in her irritation, she spoke politely with barely perceptible sarcasm, “regardless of what weaponry I am most familiar with, I am sure you have had a long journey, so I shall let your companions lead you through to the parlour while I retrieve your meal. Unless you have something else you would like to say?” Billa smirked inwardly at the glare she received and was not surprised when the Dwarf swept past her to follow his kin.

Stepping into the kitchen Billa let go of her tightly reigned in irritation letting it broil for a moment over the arrogance of the Dwarf who had just entered her home. Picking up her half empty wine glass, the hobbit-lass drained it before retrieving the two plates and carrying both the plates and her wine glass into the parlour. Setting her wine glass on a side table as she entered she presented the King with a bowl of Beef and Stout stew, and a plate with an array of roasted meats, vegetables, cheese, and bread; not a moment after she had set it down in front of him did she turn on her heel and snatch up her glass.

She needed another drink.

Billa listened in on the conversation between King and Company as she drained yet another glass of wine. Filling up her glass one more time, she left the room to grab a few more candles as darkness had truly fallen now, and they would need a little more light for the next part of discussion. On her return Gandalf spotted her

“Ah my dear Bilbo, I was just about to ask.”

“Night has well and truly fallen Gandalf, of course we need more light,” the hobbit-lass stated matter-of-factly placing two candelabras with fresh candles onto the table before lighting them from a previously lit candle. While she was doing so she watched as Gandalf rolled out an old map atop the table before he began speaking.

“Far to the East, over ranges and rivers, beyond woodlands and wastelands, lies a single solitary peak.”

“Apologies for interrupting Grey One, but I believe everyone in this room is more than aware that the destination of your quest lies with Erebor, and likely the Dragon who has claimed it,” the hobbit-lass interjected from her place leaning against the doorframe. She was more than aware the Wizard had a perchance for the dramatic.

“Aye. Óin has read the portents, and the portents say it is time,” the Dwarrow who Billa remembered to be Glóin, another Noble, spoke.

“Ravens have been seen flying back to the mountain as it was foretold: When the birds of yore return to Erebor, the reign of the beast will end,” the grey-haired dwarf Billa believed to be Óin, explained more fully.

“Ah yes the Dragon,” Bill said taking a sip of her wine as she earned the attention of the Dwarrow and Istar yet again, “I do hope you have a plan for that.” A few of the Dwarrow shouted out various things; mostly pertaining dwarvish iron, and places where sun does not shine.

“The task would be difficult enough with an army behind us. But we number just thirteen, and not thirteen of the best, nor brightest,” Balin interjected, quieting them for a moment before offended voices piped up again.

“We may be few in number, but we’re fighters, all of us, to the last dwarf!” Fíli called out over the top of the dwarves rallying them in silence.

“And you forget, we have a wizard in our company. Gandalf will have killed hundreds of dragons in his time,” his brother added. While Gandalf was struggling to answer the curious dwarves about the number of dragons he’d slain. Billa was quietly giggling to herself, she had it on good authority Gandalf had never killed a Dragon and was watching amusedly as Gandalf embarrassedly coughed on his pipe smoke. The dwarves jumping to their feet arguing among themselves over the number of dragons the wizard had killed.

“Shazara!” Thorin bellowed, jumping to his feet his face a mask of anger “If we have read these signs, do you not think others will have read them too? Rumours have begun to spread. The dragon Smaug has not been seen for sixty years. Eyes look east to the Mountain, assessing, wondering, weighing the risk. Perhaps the vast wealth of our people now lies unprotected. Do we sit back while others claim what is rightfully ours? Or do we seize this chance to take back Erebor? Du Bekâr! Du Bekâr!”

Billa rolled her eyes, wonderful the Idiot King – for she was truly beginning to think he was – believed the Dragon dead simply because it hadn’t been seen for sixty years. Did Dwarrow know nothing of animal hibernation?

“You forget: the front gate is sealed. There is no way into the mountain,” Balin, ever the voice of reason interrupted.

“That my dear Balin, is not entirely true,” Gandalf responded his blue eyes twinkling.

“So, you have found another way into the mountain,” Billa mused studying the key the Istari produced from his robes in an extravagant sleight of hand trick.

“How came you by this?” Thorin queried his eyes glued to the key in wonder.

“It was given to me by your father, by Thrain, for safekeeping. It is yours now,” Gandalf responded, handing over the key.

“If there is a key, there must be a door,” Fíli pointed out quite pointlessly.

“Indeed, the map speaks of a hidden door; these runes here speak of a hidden passage to the lower halls,” the Istar explained.

“There’s another way in!” at Kíli’s exclamation, Billa rolled her eyes.

“Well if we can find it, but dwarf doors are invisible when closed. The answer lies hidden somewhere in this map and I do not have the skill to find it. But there are others in Middle-earth who can. The task I have in mind will require a great deal of stealth, and no small amount of courage. But, if we are careful and clever, I believe that it can be done,” Gandalf said.

“And that’s why we need a burglar” Ori spoke up.

“Hmmm,” Billa mused, as many of the Dwarrow turned to fix their eyes on her, “and is this why you sought me out Gandalf? You are more than aware I am no burglar.”

“I’m afraid I have to agree with Miss Baggins. She’s hardly burglar material,” Balin added, Billa studied the older Dwarrow keenly; green eyes narrowed on the Dwarrow who avoided her gaze.

“Aye, the wild is no place for gentlefolk who can neither fight nor fend for themselves,” his brother piped up. Billa had had enough of the sly comments about her gender.

“I would say I have had plenty of experience of the wilds Master Dwalin, as Ambassador for the Shire,” she snapped, green eyes cold and daring him to interrupt her, “I have spent the last fourteen years consistently travelling between The Shire, Ered Luin, Mithlond, and Imladris. The last three, I have spent doing so alone since I came of age. I have been trained to protect myself since I was twenty-two. Keep your ‘gentlefolk’ comments well to yourself.” Billa could see her sharp words about to cause argument as was not surprised when Gandalf intervened; voice booming over the rising murmurs of the Company of Dwarrow.

“Enough! If I say Billa Baggins is a burglar, then a burglar she is. Hobbits are remarkably light on their feet. In fact, they can pass unseen by most if they choose. And while the dragon is accustomed to the smell of dwarf, elf and man, the scent of hobbit is all but unknown to him, which gives us a distinct advantage.” Gandalf sat back in his seat his voice returned to its natural intonation, “you asked me to find the fourteenth member of this company, and I have chosen Miss Baggins as your Burglar. There’s a lot more to her than appearances suggest, and she’s got a great deal more to offer than any of you know, including herself. You must trust me on this.”

“Very well. We will do it your way,” Thorin grumbled, before speaking to Balin, “give her the contract.”

“It’s just the usual summary of out-of-pocket expenses, time required, remuneration, funeral arrangements, so forth,” Balin explained. The older Dwarrow stated as he handed over the contract. Billa accepted the contract and then stepped into the hall to read it carefully wine still in hand as she let the parchment fall open.

“You don’t do anything by halves do you,” she said, eyeing the long parchment contract. Not expecting a response, she skimmed over the contract careful to pick up certain words used and terminology before she called over to the Advisor, “Balin, can I have a word?” The older Dwarrow stood from his seat and joined her in the hall.

“Yes Miss Baggins, is there a problem?”

“Well it seems that this contract is, I dare say, rather prejudice,” she stated simply, before reading off the contract, “Disputes arising between the Contract Parties shall be heard and judged by an arbitrator of the Company’s choosing… and all pleas shall be pleaded, shrewed [sic], defended, answered, debated and judged in the Dwarvish Tongue. Now as I know – and respect – that your language is secret; so I doubt you are planning on teaching me enough to understand any such proceedings so do forgive me but how exactly am I meant to sign something that is for all intents and purposes, leaving me with very little rights at all within your Company,” her voice beginning to grow icy as she continued to speak,  “then there is of course this waiver; ‘Remedies shall similarly not be sought for any unlooked-for misfortune befalling Burglar’s home during his absence.’ You are indeed very lucky I had set my affairs in order before reading this otherwise I would have taken great offence. And what about this insult; ‘Funeral expenses to be defrayed by us or our representatives if occasion arises and the matter is not otherwise arranged for. Basic funeral to ‘commoner’ or peasant standard is allowed for only. Lavish ceremonies and jewelled (sic) or gilded coffins not provided. Plain pine box is the normal standard. Transport of any remains, in whole or in part, back to the country of Burglar’s origin is not included.’ You can clearly see I am by no means a peasant, that you would not even, if the chance allows, send my remains home to my family is disgraceful.” Balin had begun to turn grey as she continued to quote various issues with the contract at him. Thorin grew angry listening to her and rose to face her. Billa having expected this stood her ground and turned cold green eyes upon the King-In-Exile.

“You of all people Thorin Oakenshield should know better than to treat allies like they are worth nothing but the dust off your feet. That you knew that your Burglar was likely to be someone of a different race, and you approved of such a contract is both appalling and shows your arrogance,” she seethed, “regardless of my role in providing food for your people and organising contracts and treaties with your sister, I have never been so insulted in my life. You would for all intents and purposes near enslave a person to do your bidding with this contract!” Billa’s eyes flashed dangerously as the King opened his mouth to speak.

“Unless the words from your lips are an apology, I would suggest keeping your mouth shut. I have only two corrections I would like made. You will give me this, otherwise word will be sent to your sister of your abominable treatment of the Ambassador. Am. I. Clear?” she gritted out stepping forward to ensure the King could in no way doubt her sincerity. The Dwarf glared at her viciously but closed his mouth, and Billa smiled icily, before speaking to Balin, “wonderful, now Balin if you and Ori follow me we have some corrections to see to.”

.

.

.

An hour later Billa was satisfied with the contract corrections and signed the new contract with a flourish, much to the irritation of the Dwarf King who had read over the contract and signed it with a glare. Content to live her guests to their own devices, Billa set about preparing herself for the journey ahead. The voices of the Dwarrow lulling her as she prepared.

Chapter Text

"Khuzdul"

"Greenspeech"

"Sindarin"

The next morning, Billa had woken before dawn. Gathering the last few odds and ends she wished to take with her, she readied herself for the day ahead. Having finished her packing, she took to the washroom to have what would likely be her last bath for some time. Her soak in the tub had to be cut short however, as she wanted to have time to use up the last of the foodstuffs in her pantries – lest it go to waste. Slipping out of the washroom in her bathrobe, she easily made her way to her bedroom to dress. Upon returning to her room, she quickly pulled on some clean undergarments after drying her hair before she began to dress for the road; pulling on thick wool travelling trousers which had been dyed black, followed by a light undershirt and thicker tunic in a deep green. Billa finished off dressing by doing up the clasps of her customised leather jerkin – a gift from the Princess Dis, who had it commissioned after their first meeting. Her coat, cloak, and boots – loathe as she was to wear them – were folded and sat next to her pack and weapons which the hobbit-lass now moved to the entrance hall.

With a quick check of her father’s pocket-watch, Billa decided it was time to put together breakfast. Heading into the kitchen, she picked up the large basket she used for collecting ingredients from her pantries and headed for said pantries. The hobbit-lass’ lips quirked into a smirk at the significant gaps on the pantry shelves, amused at the Dwarrow ability to put down as much food if not more than most hobbits; although, she mused it was mostly due to Bombur’s near insatiable appetite, shaking her head she returned to her task.

By the time the first of the Dwarrow began to stir, the smell of bacon, sausage, eggs, pastries, tea, and coffee had wafted throughout the smial. Billa had been cooking up a veritable feast for her house-guests. With her back to the door, she had been mixing up a new batch of pancake-mix while keeping an eye on the last of her blueberry pancakes in her skillet when the first of the Dwarrow entered. 

Not turning around, Billa set down her mixing bowl and reached for her cast iron skillet as she acknowledged their presence, “Good morning Master Dwarrow, breakfast is nearly ready but please help yourself to what has already been made up whilst it is still hot.”

“Yet another feast.” Billa took a moment to place the voice to a name, Kíli. Glancing over her shoulder she noted that she had been correct, and it was the two youngest Dwarrow who now made for her kitchen table and started plating up some food for themselves.

“I did not want to leave perishables in the pantry before my Cousins could arrive to stand in for me as Master of Bag-End. It also only seemed practical that we start this journey well fed, it will likely be the last time we will get the chance to eat so well for some time,” Billa explained, turning her eyes to the pancake which was now ready to be flipped.

“Your Cousins?” the blonde dwarf asked – Fíli, Billa reminded herself as she used her spatula to flip the now cooked pancake onto one of her Mother’s serving platters. Before pouring in some of the new batch.

“Stand in?” Kíli added in query.

“Yes, my first Cousin Primula Brandybuck and her fiancée – my second Cousin Drogo on my father’s side– will be taking up my titles and estates in my absence. Another of my Cousins, Sigismond Took will be taking up my duties as the Shire Ambassador for Ered Luin and Mithlond,” Billa explained as she continued cooking up the pancakes.

“Titles and Estates?” came a new voice.

“Yes Miss Ori,” Billa responded kindly with a smile thrown over her shoulder at the young Dwarrowdam, “as my Father’s only child, concessions were made and I was able to inherit his title as Master of Bag-End and his numerous estates as Head of the Baggins Family; although that title was given to my Uncle Polo, which in some respects I am glad for. It allowed me to become the Ambassador.”

“So, you have named your Cousin as your heir?” Fíli asked.

“In a way, yes. That I have yet to marry means that I have no children to leave Bag-End too, so I would much prefer that Drogo and Primula get it as they will need a home of their own to raise their own faunts in. They deserve it more than the Sackville-Bagginses,” Billa answered her voice ending with a hiss, even as she picked up the now full pancake platter and offered them to the young Dwarrow.

“You must not like these Sackville-Bagginses,” Ori commented as she accepted some pancakes.

“You would be correct in that Miss Ori, they have long believed that Bag-End should have gone to them when my Father passed. My Aunt Camellia once sought to seduce my Father away from my Mother and when that didn’t work, tried to betroth me to her son Otho, who is near thirty years my senior,” Billa explained as she set down the pancakes on a side board and made for the oven, wrapping her hands in tea-towels she reached in and pulled out the tray of blueberry, and chocolate chip muffins.  Followed shortly by the several loaves of bread she had made up that morning.

“I must admit, I have been attempting to make myself seem as undesirable as possible in an attempt to make them leave me alone. Being the Ambassador for the Shire has been one of the only things that has likely kept me sane,” Billa joked slightly, bringing over a plate of the freshly baked muffins.

“You mentioned that earlier, are you Mamahkhallazûna?” Fíli inquired picking a blueberry muffin.

“That is what your mother calls me. In Westron ‘Ambassador’ is the closest thing to represent what I actually do for the Hobbits of the Shire, the direct translation from the Green Tongue is closer to ‘Messenger’,” Billa responded with an amused smile as Kíli and Ori both snatched the chocolate chip muffins. Before Fíli could continue his questions Bofur, Bombur, Dori, and Glóin all entered the kitchen.

“Good morning Master Dwarrow, please help yourself to breakfast,” Billa greeted with a smile, gesturing to the spread of food that decorated her kitchen table. They were soon joined by Balin, Dwalin, Bifur, and Óin; and upon a suggestion from Fíli, Billa made up a plate of blueberry pancakes, sausages, eggs, roast tomato and potato hash. After a moment’s thought, she also snatched up the last of her blueberry muffins and set the plate in the oven to stay warm.

Upon Gandalf’s entrance to the kitchen, Billa had grabbed herself a plate and had been nibbling on a piece of bread slathered with butter and blackberry jam. Once she had finished her meal, she set about beginning to wash up the plates that had already been cleared of all foodstuffs. To her surprise and delight the two Princes-in-Exile offered to help her, this time without any tossing of her Mother’s crockery.

By the time their Uncle had joined the Company, most if not all of the dishes had been cleaned and put away. Billa once again fished out of the oven the meal she had set aside for the King-in-Exile and set about cleaning up her counters, humming quietly as Gandalf, Thorin, and Balin sat at the table discussing the path they would take. Having finished her cleaning Billa poured herself one last cup of coffee which she doctored with milk and a single teaspoon of sugar, listening to the two Dwarrow and the Wizard while the other Dwarrow set about seeing themselves packed.

“While we remain in the Shire, keeping to the East Road heading towards Bree will be our fastest route,” Gandalf advised Thorin, gesturing the route on one of the maps he had had Billa procure for him. She had never been gladder to have multiple copies of Maps of Middle Earth, as she had already packed her originals in oilskin and had them in her pack.

“Keeping to the East-West Road may indeed also solve our problem of how to avoid detection Thorin, if we simply appear as merchants heading west to the Iron Hills any who ask will quickly lose interest,” Balin added. Billa kept her expression neutral as she sipped her coffee, although her interest was piqued; the quest was meant to be kept a secret.

“As you say, for now we shall take the East-West Road towards Bree,” Thorin confirmed as he finished his meal and stood from the table, before imperiously stating, “we leave within the hour.” Billa did her best not to roll her eyes as she stepped up to the table picking up the now empty plate and coffee cup and headed for the sink.

“Sorry to bother you lass, but would you mind terribly if I kept this?” Balin asked having rolled up the map. Glancing over at the white-haired dwarf, Billa smiled.

“Of course, Master Balin. It is simply a copy of the original and I can’t help but see it being useful to you,” she responded as she washed up the few remaining dishes.

“My thanks Miss Baggins,” Balin said with a grateful smile as he tucked the map into his wine-red robes.

“It is no trouble Master Balin,” Billa responded, making quick work of drying the dishes and setting about putting them away. After a moment she paused in her actions to observe him studying her from where he stood at her kitchen table, “was there a problem Master Balin?”

“Ah forgive me Miss Baggins, I will admit I am trying to place you within Thorinuldûm,” the Advisor said sheepishly.

“Ah, I see. Well as you would know I deal mostly with the Lady Dís, and before her passing I also worked with the late Lady Nís alongside my late mother, but we never stayed within Thorin’s Halls. I often stay within the city of New Nogrod though, as close to Thorin’s Halls as I can be without imposing. Dís has been wonderfully practical about the whole thing and usually has one of her guards’ escort me from whichever inn I am staying at,” Billa explained easily, as she went back to packing away the dishes.

“And is that how you met Nori?” the Advisor asked. Billa turned to face the older man with an eyebrow raised.

“Though I don’t see why you need to know, no it was not. I met Nori when I saved him from bleeding out in an alleyway in the slums of New Nogrod, where he had been mugged for what little food he had been bringing to the orphans of the slums. I had wandered off on my own – exploring the city while my Mother worked with Dís and Lady Nís – I wasn’t about to let him die, especially after I found out why it had happened.”

“So, you are the reason we have the Orphan’s Rations,” Balin commented thoughtfully.

“More than that.” Billa turned her head to acknowledge the thief she’d heard enter the kitchen – he had a much softer tread then many of his kind. “Bilbo is also the reason why there were orphanages built in the better districts, and why they are still receiving the rations.”

“You are the mysterious sponsor. We have been trying to find out who’d been sponsoring the orphanages for years,” Balin exclaimed quietly in surprise.

“Father approved of my usage of my inheritance so that I could sponsor the building of the orphanages, he and Mother were happy to support me in my decision. It’s not like I was going to bankrupt myself,” Billa said, narrowing her eyes slightly at Nori, “I must admit I was hoping to remain an anonymous sponsor. Many Dwarrow would not have taken lightly to knowing that it was a Hobbit who was sponsoring and keeping their orphanage’s afloat.”

“You mean our esteemed leader,” Nori murmured from her side, Billa elbowed him swiftly in the ribs. Balin looked between the Thief and their Hobbit Burglar as he spoke.

“I see. Well, I promise to keep it to myself for now, if that will make you more comfortable? Although I will be forced to tell Thorin about this at some point.”

“Let him get over the fact that I am a Hobbit and a woman first, mayhaps once he has become used to my presence within his Company he will be more receptive to finding out. I would rather not be cursed and accused of bribery,” Billa responded drily, sharing a wry glance with Nori.

“Perhaps so,” Balin murmured thoughtfully, before he bowed to her “for what it is worth Miss Baggins, thank you.” Billa simply nodded in acknowledgement as she watched the Advisor leave her kitchen. After a moment she turned to face Nori who was already looking at her.

“Well, that was interesting,” he said leaning against her crockery cabinet.

“Indeed, was there a purpose to telling him about my sponsorship?” she asked him.

“The Advisor is a smart Dwarf. Wily, cunning, but incredibly intelligent. He is a dangerous enemy to have Bilbo, but also a great ally to gain. If I can help you gain at least his approval you will be well accepted by the others, though it seems you are already half way there; you have charmed my nana’dith quite completely Bil and seem to be well on your way to gaining the friendships of the two terrors. Bombur is also quite charmed by your cooking ability and you of course already have my friendship,” Nori commented smirking at the hobbit-lass, with her long copper curls loose and dressed the part of an adventurer.

“Five out of thirteen, still some ways to go,” Billa murmured.

“Aw Bofur and Dori will be easy enough for you to charm, and Bifur is just a big ol’ softie beneath his gruff countenance once you get passed the language barrier. Just give it some time Bil,” he answered shifting away from the cabinet to pat her shoulder softly.

“We shall see, now I assume you came in here for a reason?”

“Yes, the King has ordered us ready to leave; the terrors and Glóin have just returned from picking up sixteen ponies we shall be leaving very soon.”

“Just as well I am finished, did you return my dining table to the dining room?”

“Yes, I had Dori and Bofur help me. Do you have everything?”

“Everything is packed and set near the door, I just need to put on my boots and coat. It is just a mite bit too warm for my cloak,” Billa answered leading the way through the smial to the entrance hall where she pulled on her socks, and then specially crafted boots, before putting on her thick adventurers’ coat; it was oilskin leather lined with white wolf pelt, taken from her very first kill.

“And your hair?”

“I’ll do that atop Myrtle. I told the boys to save some coin and that I would pick up Myrtle on the way past Farmer Cotton’s.”

“You knew which direction we would be going?”

“There is only one way out of the Shire to Bree, one safe way that is,” Billa reminded with an amused smirk as she armed herself. On her belt; a sword that was long enough to be considered a long sword to her race on her right hip, and two daggers, one in the small of her back and the other on her left hip. She then strapped her thigh holster to her right leg, checking the security of the hunting knife that was sheathed, this she followed with a thigh holstered bag that contained her emergency healing supplies, and served to holster three hidden throwing knives. She then went about hiding her remaining throwing knives upon her person two in each boot in the hidden sheaths there and eight in the hidden pockets of her coat. Nori snorted as she armed herself.

“You know I rarely keep to the roads Bil,” Nori responded drily as she hid her last throwing knife in the lining of her coat.

“True enough,” she said with a smile, shouldering her pack and carrying her cloak over her arms, “but Gandalf knows his way through the Shire, so I very much doubt that Master Oakenshield will be able to get us very lost.”

“I hope you haven’t jinxed us Bil,” Nori groaned as the two left the smial. Billa took one last look over the entrance hall of her childhood home. There was no way of knowing if she’d return or if she’d want to, but in her heart, she knew she was ready for her next adventure. Stepping out her front door she pulled it closed behind her before locking it with the brass key that hung around her neck. She’d given Hamfast directions to show Drogo where the spare keys were, as she had always planned to take hers with her. With a small huff of breath Billa finally responded to Nori,

“We need only follow the road, how could he possibly be that bad with directions?” she asked green eyes wide, and eyebrow quirked in question.

She soon learned the answer to her question when the Company had somehow ended up in the Marish after two days of travel.

“How in Yavanna’s sweet green hills did we end up in Deephollow?” she groaned leaning over Myrtle’s neck in despair as Balin, Thorin, and Gandalf tried to figure out exactly where Thorin had led them.

“You now know better than to say those words now don’t you,” Nori teased from astride the dappled pony Billa had named Ivy.

“Aye, I shall never say anything of the sort again,” Billa responded fervently, “Lady knows how he managed it though, we are at least a good day’s south of where we should be.”

“A good day’s south?” Kíli asked leading his bay pony – Honeysuckle – alongside Myrtle.

“Yes. Your Uncle has successfully led us to the Marish, which is south of both crossing points of the Brandywine,” she answered the dark haired Dwarrow with a strained smile.

“You know the Shire very well,” he commented.

“I should, it’s my duty as Chennad of the Shire to not just deal with diplomacy beyond its borders but within as well. I am the first point of call for all disputes within the Shire, my Cousins Sigismond and Adalgrim also serve as Chennad of the Shire, but my duties go beyond theirs. They stick to dealing mostly with the diplomatic disputes within the borders of the Shire,” Billa responded, before smirking with a teasing glint in her green eyes, “I know the Shire like the back of my hand, I could likely get around blindfolded for how well I know the land and its people.” Kíli’s dark eyes lit up in response.

“Truly?” he breathed.

“In truth, quite possibly. Hobbit’s have a connection to the earth, similar to that of Elves but much stronger,” Billa mused as she hid her amusement at the young Dwarf’s excitement, she however did giggle at his deflation over her following words, “but that is not something we should test with your Uncle’s temper being on such a short wick as it is.” She grew ever so slightly concerned when he perked up again, by now very aware firsthand of just how mischievous he and his golden brother could be.

“I must speak with Uncle and Balin,” he said before he clucked to Honeysuckle and the bay stallion made his way forward.

“Nori,” Billa called, catching the redhaired Dwarf’s attention.

“Yes Bil?” he asked as she moved Myrtle alongside him once again.

“How likely is it I am going to die by Oakenshield’s blade?” she muttered the question as she watched the youngest Durin speak with the Idiot King and the Advisor.

“Depends what are the parameters for the bet?”

“His stubborn refusal to accept that I may be useful?” she responded drily with a quirk of her brow.

“Death is not in the picture quite yet, unless you mean death of your pride and self-worth. He will likely try to humiliate you to make himself feel better,” the Thief responded quite easily. Billa groaned again and returned to laying across Myrtle’s neck.

“Joy of joys,” she grumbled into the pony’s light mane, “knowing him, he’ll be even worse than Rudyard Burrows was when I publicly rejected his proposal.” Not a moment later she stiffened at the call – roar – of their leader.

“Baggins!”

“Lady help me,” Billa murmured before straightening in the saddle and nudging her mare up to where the illustrious leader of their merry band was sat astride the glorious black stallion, fondly named Minty, “yes Master Oakenshield, you called for me?”

“Kíli tells me you are able to guide us through the Shire,” the Dwarf-King stated gruffly.

“He is correct, my Lord, I know exactly where we are,” she replied politely though she sat stiffly in her saddle.

“Then you will lead us across the river,” he commanded. Billa fought not to roll her eyes at the Dwarf.

“Would you like me to lead you to the Brandywine Bridge or the Buckleberry ferry? Both cross the Brandywine into Buckland. Although the Bridge will set us back upon the East-West Road,” she asked glancing between Thorin and Balin.

“Whichever comes first, I would be out of the Shire as soon as possible.”

“Of course, my Lord,” Billa responded bowing slightly in the saddle using it as a chance to roll her eyes at the infuriating Dwarf, “if you are ready to depart I can lead the way.” With a nod of ascent from the Dwarf-King she brought her fingers to her lips and let loose a shrill whistle that caught the attention of the Company, smirking slightly at the glare she received from Thorin. Once she was sure she had their attention she spoke,

“Master Oakenshield has asked me to lead the way out of the Shire, if you are ready to depart please follow me.” With that the hobbit-lass turned herself forward facing in her saddle and clucked at Myrtle to get the mare on the move again, within moments the Company had fallen into step behind her with only Nori urging Ivy forward to trot beside Myrtle.

“Death may be more likely then I previously thought,” Nori commented amusedly, “I have never seen anyone earn a glare so dark from our illustrious leader.”

“I don’t think anyone has dared to whistle that close to his royal ears,” Billa retorted with a devious grin.

“You are a right devil lass,” Nori said as he devolved into raucous laughter.

“Perhaps,” Billa responded with a smirk.

By nightfall, Billa had successfully led the Company out of the Shire and across the Brandywine Bridge. Having made the executive decision that with sixteen ponies and one horse the Buckleberry Ferry was simply out of the question; much to Thorin’s irritation. The Company had quickly set up camp and had a cold dinner that night of bread, cheese, and some jerky she had packed after going through her pantries the morning they left. The night passed quietly with many of the Company avoiding angering Thorin further, for the Dwarf-King had been snapping at any who spoke so much as a word to him. After some particularly vicious words to Kíli, Billa had had enough. Standing from where she had been combing through her knotted curls, she strode over to the Dwarf and set her hands to her hips.

“That’s quite enough of that. Your nephew was doing no more than attempting to cheer you up some, there’s really no need to take out your anger with me on the Company,” she chided, well aware this was likely not going to end well.

“Who are you to tell me what to do,” he snarled, standing from his bedroll to tower over her.

“Who said I was telling you to do anything, I was giving you your target my Lord,” she sassed, slipping to sit on one of her hips.

“Why you impertinent cumberworld…” her roared.

“Why that is almost a Hobbit insult, my Aunt Camellia would be most impressed,” Billa interrupted snidely.

“Abrâfu shaikmashâz!” Thorin roared at her before devolving into more aggressive Khuzdul. Billa simply stood there and took it, not letting on that she had over the years taught herself a good deal of Khuzdul, not that she would ever claim fluency. Once the Dwarf had run out of breath she waited a moment before speaking,

“Feel better now?” she asked politely, earning a bewildered look from Thorin, to which she explained, “well it looked like you needed to yell and curse it out, so I gave you an easy target. Better me than you aiming sharp words at your nephews that you will later regret.” Satisfied the King-in-Exile was now calm enough if not confused enough to stop being such a grump, Billa curtseyed ever so slightly and left returning to her bedroll to continue combing through her knotted curls. There was silence for several long moments as she hummed contentedly, running the wooden comb through her hair, before the Dwarrow began to speak amongst themselves again. Billa had just managed to detangle her curls when Bofur came over to sit next to her. She observed him with keen green eyes as she set about braiding her hair in a tight fishtail braid.

“That was a very brave thing ye did lass,” he said after a moment, his voice quiet in comparison to the few other times they had conversed.

“I wasn’t about to let you all get snapped at because he was beyond irritated with me, nothing he could have said could have been worse than what I have heard from the lips of some of my own family and kin. At least he is less tense now and has seemingly apologised to both Kíli and Fíli; I would hate for him to have said something he would regret, family is too important for that,” she responded with ease, not at all surprised at the topic of conversation.

“No’ many would face him ‘nd bear the brunt o’ his wrath,” Bofur replied.

“Perhaps it is time that someone does, I will not hesitate to call him out when he is being unreasonable. He may be our leader, but he is still mortal. He is no more perfect than I,” Billa said quietly.

“I stand by m’ earlier comment lass, ye are very brave,” the usually comic Dwarf said seriously before a mischievous grin pulled at his lips, “I doubt there’ll be a dull moment wit’ ye among our humble Company.”

“I hope not Master Bofur, it wouldn’t be an adventure otherwise,” Billa said grinning impishly and drawing a hearty laugh from the hatted Dwarf.

The remainder of the evening was spent chatting with Bofur and Bombur with the former also serving as translator for Billa and Bifur, before the Company bedded down for the night with Dwalin on first watch.

The following morning saw the Company pack up swiftly and eat breakfast in the saddle as Thorin was eager to make up for lost time. Billa had spent most of the day riding in silence listening to the conversations flying around her, so by midday it had surprised her to be boxed in on either side by both Princes-in-Exile.

“Miss Baggins,” they greeted in unison.

“Master Fíli, Master Kíli,” she returned with a curious look.

“Ah we wished to extend our thanks for last night,” Fíli began.

“Yes, not many interfere when Uncle gets angry and we truly appreciate it,” Kíli finished.

“Think nothing of it. It was my actions at the root of his anger, it is only fair the one to face his wrath be the one that fertilised it,” Billa responded with a gentle, kind smile at both Dwarrow, “I will not let him take his anger at me out on another, t’is only right.”

“You truly are Mabarrajûna,” Kíli breathed quietly. She simply looked at him curiously, though she inwardly smiled bashfully at the compliment.

“A compliment Miss Baggins,” Fíli extended, “he means to say you are astounding, and I must agree,” the golden Prince-in-Exile said.

“Thank you very much for your kind words, the both of you,” Billa said with a smile allowing a slight blush to cover her cheeks. It was very rare for her to receive a genuine compliment these days.

By late afternoon Billa once again looked around her surroundings bewildered. She had led them back to the East Road and yet somehow Thorin had got them to Crickhollow and was trying to lead them into the Old Forest.

“Cachad!” she exclaimed causing many of the Dwarrow nearest to her to look in her direction, even as she urged Myrtle to quicken her pace so she could intercept the Dwarf-King. Pulling the reins, Billa succeeded in intercepting Thorin, Balin, and Dwalin.

“What is the meaning of this?” Thorin snarled.

“You’ve somehow got turned around again my Lord,” Billa said bluntly, her fear of the Old Forest far stronger than any fear she held towards the Dwarf-King, “we have once again drifted south and if we continue the way we are headed we will be beyond help. You lead us towards the Old Forest.”

“And why should that stop us?” he demanded.

“Very few that enter the Old Forest, ever return. Only those who have the luck to chance across Tom Bombadil do so as he is the only being that the wights are terrified of, and the Huorns heed,” Billa stated clearly though her voice trembled with her fear.

“There are warriors among us…” Thorin began.

“And what use are they against the dead?!” Billa cried out, fear shining in her green eyes, “once a barrow-wight gets its ice-cold hands upon your flesh your will is no longer your own. They take you to the Barrow-downs and dress you in robes of white, adorn you with the gold of the Ancient Kings of Men and chain you upon their dark alters to slay you; and through it all you are as helpless as a babe! No good will come of going into that forest, please believe me, I beg of you.” It was at this point that Gandalf decided to interfere, he had remained quiet to observe but at the sheer terror housed within his young hobbit friend he felt honour-bound to interfere.

“I must concur with Miss Baggins’ accounts, the Old Forest is not safe for mortal beings and by most accounts not safe for those who are immortal either. It is best we head back the way we came and make for Bree Thorin, as Bilbo stated; no good will come of going into that forest,” the Istar stated firmly. The Dwarf-King seemed torn but one last look at the terrified hobbit and he nodded in ascent allowing the Wizard to lead the way back. Billa simply waited until the Company had turned around and were well on their way back toward Bree before she nudged Myrtle to follow them.

She rode in silence, her mind ravaged by dark memories of winter, helpless terror and of the timely arrival of a being of legend. She hadn’t even noticed she was shaking until a gentle hand set itself upon her shoulder. Nearly jumping out of her skin, her head snapped around with neck-breaking speed to set her gaze upon Nori, who looked apologetic for causing the scare.

“Apologies Bil, but you’ve been in a trance like state for hours now. We’re halfway to Bree and Thorin has ordered us camp for the night, we will reach Bree by nightfall tomorrow by Balin’s estimates,” the Thief explained. Shaking her head slightly, Billa boxed her past up and shoved it deep into the recesses of her memories. Composure regained, her smile was strained as she acknowledged his words.

“Of course, Nori. Thank you.”

Billa went about her evening duties stoically, her memories breaking free every so often to fill her with dread before she pushed them aside again. She would have night terrors that night, there would be no escaping them. So it was, when it came to choosing where to place her bedroll she placed hers as far away from the Company as possible, while still being within the boundaries of their camp. For she did not wish to disturb the sleep of the Company with her night terrors. Sleep evaded her for some time, before sheer exhaustion took over and drove her in Irmo’s realms.

The terrors came with a vengeance.

Memories: some twisted while others were left to play out their terrifying truths. Billa’s experience with her night terrors had driven her to learn to keep quiet, often she awoke biting down on the side of her palm and was still surprised she did not have deeper scars. This night was no different and just as the night terror reached its climax, green eyes clouded with fear snapped open as she rocketed upright from her bedroll. Her scream muffled by the heel of her palm where it was caught between her teeth. After several minutes of deep breathing Billa had finally shaken off the last of the night terrors and took her hand away from her mouth, only for her to hiss at the taste of iron upon her tongue. She had broken skin. With practiced ease she reached for the bag holstered to her thigh; collecting salve and bandage she set about cleaning the bite marks and covering them with the salve, finishing up by wrapping the bandage firmly around her hand.

“You are well versed in medicine,” came Kíli’s voice from his place as the final watch of the night.

Glad he had not brought up the subject of night terrors and knowing she would get no more rest that night, Billa set about rolling up her bedroll and attaching it to her pack. Picking it and her belt up she moved to sit next to Kíli on the log on the skirts of the camp. Belting on her sword and daggers, she finally responded, “it came as part of my weapons training. My tutor was adamant I learn to heal myself and others and would often make me practice upon myself if I received an injury during training. Perhaps not the kindest way to teach, but learn I did. Though he certainly did build upon the skills my Mother had already imparted upon me as a young tween,”

“You have mentioned that you were trained before, who was it that trained you? For forgive me, but I cannot see it being another Hobbit,” he asked. Billa giggled at the image he presented.

“No offense taken Master Kíli, and you are correct it was not another Hobbit. My tutor was one of the Dúnedain, a Ranger by the name of Calder. He still serves as one of the Shire’s silent protectors though from my latest contact with him he was serving down at Sarn Ford,” she explained a content smile upon her lips.

“Would you tell me about your training?”

“Of course,” she replied, “Calder didn’t want to train me at first, but I was rather persistent, and I believe he agreed only because it would stop my nagging.” This earned her a chuckle from the young Dwarf. “I was twenty-two and there had just been a terrible winter, the coldest in many a year. So cold the Shire’s natural defence – the Brandywine – froze over, leaving us quite defenceless against the dark creatures the winter and the snows had driven towards our borders. My Mother had been one of the many victims that winter – so now called Fell – and once spring came, in my grief and frustration I begged to be taught how to defend myself and others. Calder eventually agreed and taught me how to wield blade and bow, taught me to throw knives with great proficiency, and how to heal all but the direst of wounds. He also became my personal escort on my duties as Ambassador up until my thirty-third birthday where he claimed that now I was of age he could finally return to his duties. He is a good friend of mine, although a callous man.”

“You can wield a bow?” Kíli asked in his excitement.

“Yes, though I have yet replaced my old bow from when I lost it,” she replied, shivering as her mind drifted back towards her night terrors.

“When we next make camp, would you be opposed to showing me your skills?” he inquired, seemingly excited to share the commonality of the bow with the hobbit-lass.

“If you mean to lend me your bow to do so certainly, it would be a bit hard to show my skill without one,” she teased earning herself a slight blush from the young Dwarf.

“I see no other option,” he replied with confidence although his blush darkened his cheeks further.

“Then yes, when we next make camp I will show you my skills with the bow,” she answered smiling sincerely at the Dwarf. The remainder of their joint watch was spent talking idly, conversation often drifting back to Dís, and subsequently Billa’s acquaintance with the Dwarrow Princess-in-Exile. At the first signs of the sun peaking over the horizon they began to stir the Company from sleep. By the time the dawn had coloured the sky an array of pinks, oranges, and purple the Company was well awake and setting about packing down camp. The last items to be set upon the two Pack Ponies – Flax and Hollyhock – were the cooking utensils and bowls as the Company took a hot breakfast with the few conies Billa had managed to catch while the Company had been waking. 

The day passed quickly with light chatter and merry making as they progressed down the East Road. As had been predicted, just as night began to creep over Eriador the Company reached the gates of Bree. They entered without problem and Gandalf took the lead, leading them towards one of the best inn’s in Bree – The Prancing Pony. Upon entering the establishment Billa easily slipped herself to the front of the Company and made her way straight up to the counter taking the carefully crafted stairs designed for the smaller folk until she was level. After a moment of waiting, in which she was almost certain that Thorin was about to have a conniption once he had finally spotted her, Millard Butterbur caught sight of her.

“Ah Miss Baggins, back again I see,” the young innkeeper greeted the hobbit-lass, meandering over to the counter.

“Lovely to see you again Mister Butterbur, could I trouble you for seven small folk rooms and one mannish room? I am travelling with a band of Dwarrow who were kind enough to allow myself and my dear friend Gandalf to join them on the Road. So, of course when the opportunity arose that I could mayhap repay such kindness I just had to take it, so please simply adjust it to my tab if at all possible,” Billa said, spinning her tale with a sweet smile.

“Your graciousness becomes you Miss Baggins, but unfortunately we do not have enough small folk rooms, I only have the room you usually stay in available.”

“Hmm I see, well perhaps five mannish rooms and my usual then? Most of my companions are travelling within family groups,” she countered with a winning smile.

“Aye I’ll be able to arrange that. Will you be paying for the food and ale consumed as well, Miss Baggins?” Billa chanced a glance over her shoulder with an inquiring brow raised at Thorin who simply shook his head at her.

“Simply the food Mister Butterbur, I shan’t have anything left on my tab should I pay for their liquor as well my friend,” she jested earning a broad smile and a chuckle from the innkeeper.

“Aye, that’ll do ya. I’ll send you the invoice as always Miss Baggins,” he responded shaking her hand companionably, before holding it between both of his in concern, “I must say it is nice to know you will have company on the road ahead Miss Baggins, whispers have come through that the Road ahead is quite dangerous. I’ll worry less knowing that you will be well protected dear lady.”

“I thank you for the news Millard, it will certainly caution us to be careful on the Road,” Billa returned with a sincere smile of gratitude. Millard released her hands after another moment and handed her the keys to the rooms she asked for and with yet another word of thanks, she stepped down from the stairs and approached a scowling Thorin.

“Before you yell at me Master Oakenshield, please consider the fact that I did what I did to save you coin and to solidify your cover tale, there were several Men who took interest in our party as soon as we entered,” she said quietly, her lips barely moving as she smiled winsomely at the Dwarf-King before speaking louder, “here we go Master Thornur, keys for your party. Unfortunately, Millard doesn’t have enough rooms fit for us proper sized folk, but I was able to seek two mannish rooms furnished with twin beds that should fit two each, and two with double beds that will fit three each if that’ll be suitable.” Thorin’s eyes narrowed slightly at her act.

“Thank you, Miss Baggins. Your generosity is boundless, it will be more than suitable,” he answered voice smooth, bowing to her in thanks.

“Think nothing of it Master Thornur, you have been nothing but helpful to myself and Gandalf. It was the least I could do,” she responded with another winsome smile, “now please excuse me I would like to make use of this fine establishment’s amenities while we have the chance, and I still have yet to give Gandalf his key! Shall I meet you back here in the dining hall in an hour?”

“Of course, Miss Baggins,” Thorin said, agreeing to her dismissal. With a small curtsey Billa turned on her heel and glided towards Gandalf, catching Nori’s eyes as she continued her act with Gandalf. When she turned back Nori was gone, she simply hoped he had got her message. As she took herself and her pack upstairs she was joined at the top of the stairs by a Dwarven shadow.

“So, what did you want to speak about?” Nori murmured as he fell in step with her.

“Some of the Men who appeared interested in my little story down there concern me, could you do me a favour and perhaps find out just what it is that made them so interested?” she inquired quietly.

“I know just the ones, I had my eye on them too.”

“Excellent. Once you know more perhaps you should speak with Balin and organise a meeting later tonight with Master Thornur, we should really clarify a few things before we return to the road,” Billa said a little louder as they passed one of the serving girls who cleaned the inn’s rooms.

“Of course, Miss Baggins,” Nori responded in kind, voice laden with charm. Once they were once again alone in the hallway, Billa spoke again.

“I always have a bath readied during my stay here, so if Ori would like to bathe in private tell her she can simply come up to my room now,” she said as they reached her room.

“Thank you Bil,” Nori said sincerely, “I am sure my sister will enjoy some time away from Dwarrow in the company of another ‘dam.”

“It is a pleasure Nori, now you go on and extend my offer to her first before you disappear back into the shadows.” With quiet farewells Billa entered her room, smiling warmly at the sight of the steaming hot bath that was already waiting for her. Millard was a gem.

Billa set down her pack near the room’s single bed and without preamble, promptly shed her clothes and sank into the searing heat of the bath. Making use of her favourite honeysuckle and goats milk soap she’d had the forethought to bring with her, she scrubbed her body and hair free of the dust and grime of travel. Taking several moments to simply relax in the heat of the water, she was interrupted by a quiet knock and voice through the door.

“Miss Billa, it’s Ori.”

“Please come in Miss Ori, the door is open.” Glancing around the dividing screen that blocked the sight of most of the bath from the door, Billa greeted the nervous Dwarrowdam with a kind smile as she entered the room and closed the door behind her.

“Nori said that you offered to share your bath with me Miss Billa,” the shy Dwarrowdam said.

“And he was correct, I thought you might like some privacy to do so away from prying eyes. I do hope you don’t mind sharing the bathwater?”

“Not at all Miss Billa,” Ori said firmly.

“Well the water is still hot, just let me get out,” Billa replied with a warm smile as she stood from the small folk sized tub and stepped out of it reaching for one of the towels that had been left for her usage. Quickly drying off her body she wrapped the towel around her and gathered her clothing to allow Ori to make use of the screen, which the Dwarrowdam did. As the hobbit-lass changed into fresh undergarments, an undershirt, her black woollen trousers and green tunic, Ori slipped into the heated water of the bath with a relieved sigh.

“Did you have any soap Miss Ori?” Billa asked as she sat herself at the table set in the middle of the room.

“Unfortunately not, Miss Billa,” she replied.

“Well I have my spare soap, its scented lavender if you would like to use it?” Billa offered.

“Oh, I would hate to be a bother Miss Billa.”

“Not at all Miss Ori, not at all,” she responded moving over to her pack and fishing out the lavender scented soap before she headed over to the screen and placed it within arm’s reach of the young Dwarrowdam on the side table beside the tub, “there you go.”

“Thank you, Miss Billa,” the Dwarrowdam said sincerely, prompting an amused pursing of hobbit-lass’ lips.

“Now please tell me if I am being to forward Miss Ori, but perhaps if we are to be friends and as the only females on this journey we could drop the formalities?” the hobbit-lass asked, running her wooden comb through her damp curls. The Dwarrowdam made a noise akin to a squeak before finally managing to bring words to her lips.

“I would like that very much Mis… Billa.”

“That’s just lovely Ori, because I would very much like that too,” Billa responded with a warm smile.

Billa and Ori chatted idly as the latter bathed but after a short time both ladies were dressed comfortably and left the room. The hobbit-lass had not forgotten to strap on her thigh holster for her hunting knife and had two throwing knives hidden in her boots, with another two sets hidden in invisible pockets sewed into both her tunic and pants. Upon entering the dining hall, the two ladies migrated towards their companions who had already been served their evening meal and appeared to be starting into their cups. The two new friends took a seat among the Company and continued chatting idly, though both chose not to take part in the unofficial drinking competition that Bofur and Kíli had somehow started with Dwalin and Glóin. The night passed amiably but despite the relaxed manner in which Billa presented herself, shrewd green eyes surveyed the room keeping track of the Men she had earlier picked out.

As she surveyed the room yet again, green eyes widened in surprise as they fell upon a familiar face.

“Rorimac!” she cried out, extracting herself from her seat and gliding over to her Brandybuck Cousin.

“Billa!” he called back coming to meet her half way, swinging her off her feet with great ease as he was one of the tallest hobbits she knew, though certainly not taller than the average Dwarrow.

“What are you doing in Bree?” she asked giggling as he swung her round once before setting her to her feet.

“Beginning my training as one of the Chennad. With you leaving for an unknown amount of time, Father and Fortinbras both thought it would be a good idea for me to start my training. I won’t be going as far as Sigismond will be, but I will likely be going with him on the next trip as part of my training,” the blonde Brandybuck responded.

“I had forgotten about the talks of another Chennad, though I fully approve of it being you and Buckland finally having its own,” Billa admitted with a grin she shared with her Cousin, the one that labelled them both as Grandchildren of Old Took.

“Aye, I must admit I am glad that it is now and not last year. Saradoc is toddling now and sleeping through the night which makes him less of a stress for ‘Gilda to deal with while I am away on Chennad business.”

“Oh yes, your little boy turns two in just under a year, I do hope I will be back by then to be there for his and Paladin’s birthdays,” Billa said warmly.

“I will never understand what uncanny coincidence it was that my son would be born the same day seven years after Adalgrim’s.”

“Neither can the rest of our Clan,” Billa teased, chancing a glance over her shoulder she spotted Nori speaking with Balin, deciding that she needed to say her goodbyes she turned back to Rorimac and pulled him into a tight hug saying her well wishes and sending her love back to his family before retreating to her companions. She met Nori’s murky depths with an inquiring nod which earned her a nod and a gesture towards Balin and Thorin, smiling in thanks she returned to conversation with Ori until Balin came over feigning a need to speak with her. Once Balin, Dwalin, Nori, Thorin, and she were settled in the Mannish room the sons of Fundin and Thorin were sharing, Billa turned to Nori.

“What have you found out?” she asked.

“Most of the men were bandit informers who became uninterested rather quickly once reminded that there were several accomplished Dwarrow warriors among our number serving as guards,” Nori began.

“And the one whose eyes were glued to our Company the entire time?” Billa inquired.

“He’s the one I am most concerned about. From what I could overhear, his ‘Master’ would be very eager to hear about our party passing through Bree. He knew Thorin’s name and sent one of his cronies away as a messenger.”

“Did you intercept the message?”

“What do you take me for Bil? O’ course I did. That’s how I know he knew Thorin’s name, the message was verbal; ‘Tell the Master that Oakenshield and his sister-spawn have passed through Bree’.”

“They know about the lads too,” she commented mostly to herself as she fell deep into thought as Balin continued the questioning. Listening with half an ear Billa picked up on a few significant mentions. Raising her green eyes to study Thorin a moment, she turned back to face Nori who simply looked at her expectantly.

“I have a few questions, mostly directed at the lot of you so anyone who is willing to answer please do. First of which is, since I know this quest of ours is supposed to be confidential – who exactly knows about the details?”

“I put a call out for any willing Dwarrow who would be eager to help seek Durin’s Folk a brighter more stable future,” Thorin stated, “Balin was the one who stressed the need for secrecy until proven loyal.”

“I see, and you went to speak with the Nobles in Council at New Belegost correct? The new seat of the Broadbeams?”

“Yes, though again I kept the details vague – it is likely why they were not so eager to answer the call alongside several other things.”

“Indeed. So, if this is true and the only ones who should know about the specifics of the quest have signed confidentiality contracts, I believe there is only one possible explanation; you have a traitor within your midst,” Billa stated solemnly, continuing before the three Nobles could explode into a litany of curses, “however it is not one of the Company. Over the past five days I have learned enough to know that every Dwarrow signed to your Company is loyal; if for one reason or another. I can only vouch for myself when I say I only found out the day prior to your arrival at my smial and have had little time to think about it even if I should have wanted to. Which I don’t because despite everything I believe what you are trying to do for your people is a noble act. One I will endeavour to aid in whatever way I can.”

“Then who?” Balin demanded alarmed.

“Nori has mentioned to me how it was he ended up caught up in all this – rather stupid thinking him to be an assassin but I guess as I know him better than you do, perhaps not – I would like to know just how many attempts have been made on the Royal family’s life. Because I believe it may help to enlighten us to the potential cause for the information leak,” Billa responded.

Balin, Dwalin, and Thorin glanced amongst themselves in silence for a few moments before Balin began to speak, “within the last year there have been fourteen attempts made on Thorin, twenty-two made on Dís, and thirty-seven made on the lads. Both Óin and Glóin have had at least three attempts made on their lives each within the last six months, Dwalin and I have counted eight between the two of us, more attempts on my life than his.”

“They are going after the line of Durin,” Billa stated in clear horror. Surprising three of the four occupants of the room, she immediately turned on Nori, “how many Nori?”

“Dori doesn’t know of course, and Ori only found out after I intercepted an attempt on her. Over the last three months I have intercepted five attempts made on Ori and Dori.”

“And how many have gone after you?” she demanded standing from her chair and marching over to her closest friend, closer than those she had in the Shire.

“Eleven so far. They stopped going after Dori and Ori once they realised they couldn’t get to them if I was alive,” Nori answered grimly.

“One hundred assassination attempts on the line of Durin in the past year,” Billa’s voice trembled slightly, before rage took over, “I am bloody going to kill Dís, why in Yavanna’s sweet name did she not tell me! And you!” she said turning directly on Nori, “why didn’t you send word, or better yet tell me last time I had to stich you up you skelpie-limer! Bwchi!”

“No need for such dirty language Bil, I didn’t tell you because I’d just received word from some of my associates…” Nori began

“Informants,” she interrupted.

“Yes alright, my informants that a bounty was about to be set on you. If I had told you would have stayed in Nartumunzahar longer which would have put you at risk.” Billa stared him down for a moment before sighing.

“I cannot argue because you do know me far too well, I would have stayed, and I would have sought out those who were trying to harm you.” Taking a deep breath, Billa turned her eyes to Thorin, “I take it measures were put in place to protect Dís?”

“As many as were feasible and physically possible,” he responded, bewildered by the hobbit-lass’ genuine concern for his sister, and the Thief – regardless of the purity of his blood.

“Right so my Cousin is here in Bree. He is the next Chennad of Buckland, taking up some of the duties I am unable to complete at this time. I taught Dís the Green Tongue years ago, despite it being against most Hobbit sensibilities if you have anything you would like me to warn her of I am happy to write your letters and give them to my Cousin to give to Dís. Rorimac is a good man, he will not betray your confidence.” After a quiet conversation in Khuzdul, Thorin agreed and Nori went and collected some writing implements from Ori for Billa to use. Thorin then dictated a letter to Billa as she easily translated the words into her own tongue, before handing it to Nori for him to confirm it for Thorin.

“She taught you too?”

“Aye she did, I’ve known Bil a little over twenty years. We met during her first trip to Nartumunzahar and your Halls with her Mother.”

“I was sixteen, still a child at the time by our standards. Mother had been beside herself when I disappeared only to scold me after she found me tending an injured dwarf in our inn room and hadn’t called for her,” Billa added with a sad but amused smile as she wrote her own letter to Dís.

“Belladonna was a sweet lady, talented, voracious and fierce, but gentle. She was one of the kindest people I have ever known, alongside Bilbo,” Nori said honestly before taking up the finished letters Billa handed him, “Bil, these are your private letters.”

“And considering the circumstances I would rather be transparent with those who might be concerned about my loyalty to the quest and to the Company,” Billa responded simply. Carefully putting away the borrowed writing implements.

“If you are sure,” he said.

“I am. Now might be the only time we get a chance to contact Dís and I would have her as knowledgeable as possible.”

“Alright,” he agreed facing Thorin, Balin, and Dwalin he began to read the letter aloud.

“Dearest Dís,

You have likely received the letter your brother dictated to me within this package, I would add my own warnings and cautions to you for safety. And please do not act too surprised over my presence here upon your brother’s quest. You know adventure sings in my blood. The Took in me will not allow me to sit still for long, and though I will miss our regular visitations I will use that to fuel my desire to see you back in your ancestral home as soon as I can so that we may partake in our debates over tea like usual, once more.

 I have just been informed of the extent of the assassination attempts and I hope you realise just how unimpressed I am that you did not tell me. Regardless of whether or not Nori and yourself conspired to keep me out of harms way or not. I hope you are making use of our little birds while we are away and unable to conduct their mischief.

The little birds and their keepers will start reporting directly to you my Lady. I have enclosed a letter for Vestri and Vigg, please see to it that it gets to them. I would have my little birds safe in both your care and service Dís, please look after them and the orphanages.

My will dictates the money I have set in trust for the orphanages will continue to be sent in instalments until either you have found a new far more stable home, or you no longer need anonymous sponsorship to maintain them. So there is no need to worry for the moment regarding the sponsorship. I am sure you have also received my letter by now explaining my reasons for paying for double the agreed upon amount of food and supplies. I refuse to let your people starve simply due to recent misfortunes. Though I think investigations into the mine collapse should perhaps be looked into. I have a feeling that you will soon have a new sponsor present themselves in an attempt to garner favour among those of New Nogrod. Be wary of them.

Stay Safe and Live Well my dear friend,

Yours Truly in friendship,

Billanna Belladonna Baggins

P.S Worry not I will keep a hawk’s eye on those lads of yours, mischievous as they are.”

“You are the anonymous sponsor,” Thorin spluttered.

“And here I thought the fact that I named Nori and I as close associates of your sister would be more surprising,” Billa commented drily.

“You and Nori are the leaders of Dís’ spy network,” Balin deduced.

“Aye we are, the network is mostly formed of those loyal to Bil and the Princess for their roles in getting them off the street. They respect me for my skills and my own loyalties to Bilbo and the Princess.”

“And for the fact you are the reason that before we came along they hadn’t starved to death. You give yourself too little credit Nori.”

“Shadow and Nightshade,” Dwalin grumbled.

“Oh my, I haven’t heard anyone use that name in quite some time,” Billa murmured.

“What is the other letter?” Thorin asked.

“Orders for the little birds to report directly to Dís. My oldest doves will be taking over the care of the network until Nori or I return. If we do not, she will have fierce loyalists at her beck and call,” Billa explained, with Nori backing up her statement adding his own signature to the orders.

“One day, you two are going to explain how you two created such an extensive network,” Dwalin said gruffly.

“And give away all of our secrets? Never,” she teased, “but in all seriousness I should go find Rorimac, I need to speak with him. Also, just a suggestion but we should leave before dawn, we do not want our ugly friend downstairs to follow us.” After receiving words of agreement, Billa handed the writing tools to Nori before leaving the room and headed towards the room Rorimac had said he would be staying. Knocking on the door the sleepy hobbit woke up over the hushed words the hobbit-lass shared with him in their shared mothertongue. With a promise and an exchange of letters, she left him with a blessing of Yavanna and wishes of safe travels, before she took to her own room. Locking the door behind her. Billa dressed herself properly for the road again, before she lay on her bed and fell into a deep slumber.

She was awoken by the sound of Nori knocking on her door several hours before dawn, and within the hour the Company had been roused and all were mounted on the ponies. By the time the sun’s rays began to stretch over Eriador, the Company of Thorin Oakenshield were several leagues east of Bree.

Thorin had even asked her to join Balin in explaining their early start to the Wizard, who had been among the few who had not taken well to the early rousing. Billa was still surprised he’d actually asked her and not just demanded it. Maybe he was finally warming up to her, she mused. Shaking her head, she nudged Myrtle to ride alongside Gandalf’s Rohirric stallion, a beautiful specimen named Ogden.

“I do extend my apologies Grey One, for being among those who insisted upon the early start,” Billa said sincerely, glancing up at the grey robed Istari out of the corner of her eye.

The Grey Wizard looked down at the hobbit-lass a moment, his blue eyes almost hidden by his bushy eyebrows in his frown, before he spoke, “and I assume there was good reason for it?”

“Indeed, we have determined there were people on the lookout for our party of travellers. People who knew certain names without any of our party having said them,” she responded quietly, eyes flickering to study Thorin before darting across to the Princes-in-Exile, Gandalf’s gaze followed her own.

“Ah,” he grunted, “and I assume there has been discussion on the potential leak?”

“A leak, a traitor in New Nogrod. Someone who was able to find out the details without having been among those told, ears to the stone,” she answered vaguely, but direct enough for her meaning to get across: it is none among the Company.

“We will have to be cautious from here on out,” Gandalf grunted sharing a concerned look with the hobbit-lass who only nodded in solemn agreement before she was called away by the princely terrors.

Chapter Text

"Khuzdul"

"Greenspeech"

"Sindarin"

Two weeks passed on the Road without incident, and with only minor changes to their previous routine. When they had made camp the night after they had left Bree, Billa had kept her promise to Kíli and once camp had been set had shown him her skills with the bow. Which had prompted Dwalin to demand a demonstration of her abilities with her blade. Submitting to what would end up being a spar, she had agreed. She had been made to spar against Fíli, and Dwalin before she had been allowed to eat her meal that night.

Since then each of the Company had spent time on weapon practice, sparring with each other over the course of the evening after camp had been set; and that night would be no different. Billa had just finished her camp chores – having just returned from seeking firewood with Bofur – and set up her bedroll. Shucking off her coat and jerkin, she folded them up and left them on her bedroll before seeking out Nori. The redhaired Dwarf Thief had just returned from hunting with Kíli and was depositing their catch with Bombur and looked up when she approached.

“’ello Bil,” he greeted, and she smiled in response.

“Nori, it’s been a while since we last sparred. What do you say?” she said after a moment, green eyes sparkling as she sat on her hip, arms crossed under her bust. Nori’s marshy green eyes sparkled in answer as a devious grin pulled at his lips.

“Armed or unarmed?” he asked standing from his crouch over the fat pheasants he had been helping to pluck.

“Unarmed, no need for either of us to accidentally cause damage,” Billa answered with her own cheeky grin. Nori’s excitement only seemed to grow at her words.

“Parameters?”

“The usual I’d say: first to yield, no holds barred.” With a nod of agreement from Nori, the two made for the cleared area that had been left for sparring among the boulders away from the rocky outcrop that would serve to shelter their camp that night. Billa simply felt her grin grow when she noticed they had the full attention of the Company.

The Thief and the hobbit-lass set themselves up several paces away and opposite from each other. Bowing at the other before falling into well-practiced stances. In the next blink of an eye, Billa had dropped to the dust in a crouch to avoid Nori’s fist and had swept his feet out from under him.

“Come on Nori,” she goaded, “now’s not the time for sleeping.” Nori was back on his feet in the next moment, and she was forced to block several punches in quick succession. The Company began to call out from their places observing the spar, some offering advice while others were simply egging them on.

“Who said I was sleeping?” Nori retorted, marsh green eyes alight with delight, as Billa caught his wrist and used his forward momentum to duck and flip him over her form. Nori, used to this particular move simply continued his forward momentum and rolled back to his feet.

“Well I simply assumed you were with how slow you are,” she taunted, as she back flipped away from his latest attack, kicking out at him as she did so forcing him to dodge but he was back at her as soon as her feet touched the ground. The two traded blows to and fro for several long minutes before Billa caught Nori’s booted foot and used it to unbalance him. He used his position on the ground to sweep her feet out from under her and grappled her into submission.

“Do you yield?” he demanded, a full-blown grin spread across his bearded face. Billa simply smiled, before bucking him off and turning the tables; straddling his back as she held his hands behind his back and used her weight to keep him prone. Her legs entwined with his as she leaned over and smiled winsomely at the Thief.

“No, but I believe you should,” she said even as he tried to wriggle out of her grip. Her smile lost its innocence and turned devious when she put slightly more pressure on her grip on his arms and began to tickle the back of his neck with her now free hand, careful not to touch his hair.

“I yield, I yield,” the Thief cried out, laughter spilling from his lips as he tried to struggle away from her nimble fingers. With a victorious grin, Billa released him and stood up, offering a hand to Nori to help him up. They shared a grin as they clasped arms as she pulled him to his feet.

“Well you’re still in good shape for someone who doesn’t spar much,” Nori commented bumping her hip with his as they stood next to each other.

“I keep a rigorous practice routine when I am unable to spar, you know this,” she retorted with a grin.

“Yeah, your flexibility has increased again,” he mused, studying her for a moment, “you have never been able to get out of that grapple hold so easily before.”

“As I said, rigorous practice routine,” Billa answered slyly, not bothering to hide her smirk as several of the Company choked on her words, the three youngest blushing at the implied connotations, but she continued innocently, “I work my way through each set for two hours every day if I can, then I start on stretches for an hour.” Earning several disgruntled grumbles from the Company. “What?” she asked eyes wide in faux-innocence as she looked around at the assemblage of Dwarrow, even as Nori burst into badly contained laughter until he was near howling with it.

The evening passed with easy chatter and merry making, before they took to their beds. Kíli and Fíli had been put on first watch and were sat against the rock that served to form the overhang that sheltered the Company. Billa had tried to sleep but she had been unable to settle enough for sleep to claim her. She felt tense and she did not know why, and while watching Glóin inhale live moths only to exhale them alive too was fascinating, she was not keen on watching all night. Deciding she would spend some time with Myrtle, she stood silently from her bedroll; once again in full adventuring gear with the exception of her sword belt. With a side-glance at the princely terrors – as she had taken to calling them – she made her way over to where the ponies were stationed and speaking quietly with Myrtle in her own tongue, she fed the skewbald mare a wild apple she had found while searching for firewood earlier.

A moment later a foul screech disturbed the silence.

“What was that?” Ori asked nervously having been woken up by the sound.

“Orcs,” Kíli answered, the entire camp now alert as yet another screech penetrated the air.

“Throat¬cutters. There’ll be dozens of them out there. The lowlands are crawling with them,” Fíli added looking to Billa, who simply raised her eyebrows at the two. Terrors indeed she mused.

“They strike in the wee small hours, when everyone’s asleep. Quick and quiet; no screams, just lots of blood,” Kíli continued for his brother, before they dissolved into snickers before being silenced by a scowling Thorin who scolded them thoroughly. Billa remained near Myrtle even as she listened to the story Balin wove about Azanulbizar, one very different to the one she had heard from Dís.

“But the pale orc? What happened to him?” Ori asked, her voice trembling as she leaned into Dori’s side.

“He slunk back into the hole whence he came. That filth died of his wounds long ago,” Thorin inserted gruffly. Billa studied him a moment before finally speaking.

“I wouldn’t be so certain of that Master Oakenshield,” she said, earning herself a now rather familiar glare.

“And why shouldn’t I?” he demanded.

“Because I have seen your Pale Orc with my own eyes,” she responded quietly, though all heard her in the silence of the night.

“What?!” Thorin growled, “you are mistaken.”

“I would rather believe I would remember the being responsible for my Mother’s murder Master Oakenshield,” Billa hissed, temper flaring.

“How could this be?” Thorin demanded.

“The Fell Winter,” she responded hotly, earning her a few gasped breaths from those who knew – namely Kíli and Nori. “The winter of 2926 was the coldest on record since the Long Winter. You should all remember, it affected your settlements within the Blue Mountains just as much. Winter came on suddenly and the first frost came two months too early killing off half the Shire’s Harvest. A week after we lost most of our winter stores to the frost, the first snows hit. By the time winter was supposed to start the Brandywine River- the only natural defence of the Shire- froze over for the first time in recorded history and with its loss came the wolves. Driven by the snow and the promise of easy prey the Shire and its surrounds fell victim to the creatures.”

Billa took a moment to ensure she had the full attention of every member of the Company, ignoring the expressions of empathy from Gandalf, this was a story his knew well.

“Many hobbits had fallen victim to what we called the Wasting- a disease that struck and killed most if not all who contracted it- leaving the Shire extremely vulnerable in addition to the starvation that was rife at the time. But the white wolves of the North were not the only fell creatures to attack the Shire that winter,” Billa explained mechanically, “Orcs and Wargs were next and many more Hobbit lives lost. They were led by a Pale Orc upon a White Warg and they slaughtered any who they could find. They raided smials and ate hobbits in front of their captives.”

Taking a deep breath Billa continued, her voice wobbling slightly as she spoke, “towards the end of Winter my Father contracted the Wasting, our rations were nearly gone so we could not afford to keep him fed enough to see him through the winter. My Mother, Belladonna Took Baggins lost her life to the wounds inflicted by a one-armed Pale Orc with a twisted metal prosthetic after she left Bag-End to head for the Great Smials in Tuckborough for medicine for my father. I managed to find them just in time to fend off a Pale Orc who was very ready to feed my mother to his great White Warg. I nearly lost my own life that winter in my efforts to protect my Mother’s corpse.”

Silence reigned as Billa finished her explanation.

“That’s what caused the scar,” Nori commented his eyes torn between sadness and fury.

“Scar?” Ori asked looking between Nori and Billa.

“I apologise Ori, there is a reason I did not show you my back in Bree,” Billa answered, before explaining in more detail at the demanding look Thorin sent her, “when I defended my mother’s body I was not trained, it was pure rage and grief that fuelled my actions. Azog’s prosthetic caught me along my back leaving behind three very deep, long wounds. I would have likely died if not for the fact of Gandalf’s timely arrival with the Dúnedain and an Elven battalion from Rivendell. I am only here thanks to the sons of Lord Elrond and Gandalf.”

The rest of the evening passed by with a tense overture, as Billa returned to her bedroll and tried to sleep. It was only after she felt Nori and to her surprise Ori move their bedrolls either side of hers did she fall into an undisturbed sleep.

The week following, saw Billa more quiet than usual. She spoke only when spoken to and often found herself riding next to Gandalf, and as the second bout of Spring Rains hit a gloom fell upon the Company. They had crossed the Last Bridge over the River Hoarwell two days prior and were now well into the trek through the Trollshaws. Despite the light rain the Company made good time through the forest with the East-West road not as muddy as it could have been for the time that they had followed it before turning North onto a woodcutter’s trail. Billa was pulled from her dark musings by Dori’s voice.

“Here, Mr. Gandalf, can’t you do something about this deluge?”

“It is raining, Master Dwarf, and it will continue to rain until the rain is done. If you wish to change the weather of the world, you should find yourself another wizard,” Gandalf retorted earning a surprised snort of amusement from Billa.

“Are there any?” Ori asked curiously from beneath her oilskin hood.

“What?” Gandalf huffed

“Other Wizards?” the hobbit-lass clarified for the young ‘dam.

“There are five of us. The greatest of our order is Saruman, the White. Then there are the two Blue Wizards; you know, I’ve quite forgotten their names,” Gandalf replied, trailing off with a furrowed brow.

“Alatar and Pallando, Gandalf,” she offered, the Grey Wizard looked back at Billa curiously but nodded gratefully.

“And who is the fifth?” Ori asked.

“Well, that would be Radagast, the Brown.”

“Is he a great Wizard or is he...more like you?” Billa teased. Smiling slighty as the Dwarrow laughed at the offended expression on Gandalf’s weathered face. Nonetheless he answered,

“I think he’s a very great wizard, in his own way. He’s a gentle soul who prefers the company of animals to others. He keeps a watchful eye over the vast forest lands to the East, and a good thing too, for always Evil will look to find a foothold in this world.”

“He sounds like a lovely person,” she responded with an apologetic smile to sooth the Wizard’s ruffled feathers.

“That he is, my dear Bilbo,” Gandalf replied with a huff of laughter.

Ori’s quiet curiosity interrupted the two old friends a moment later, “excuse me Billa, Mister Gandalf, but why do you call Billa, Bilbo?”  Gandalf looked to Billa to answer the question.

“It is the nickname my Mother gave me, after her pet name Billa-bo,” Billa responded, explaining with a kind smile at the young ‘dam, “she shortened it to Bilbo and now only Nori and Gandalf use it.”

“And her full name is Billanna,” Nori added with a laugh, grinning at the hobbit-lass’ emerald-eyed glare.

“Thank you, Nori,” she said primly.

“Your welcome Bilbo,” he responded teasingly.

“You have quite a few names,” Ori commented nudging Daisy alongside Myrtle.

“Yes, I suppose I do,” Billa mused, “I have my full name Billanna Belladonna Baggins, my shortened name Billa, and my nickname Bilbo.” When Ori made a strangled noise, the hobbit-lass looked at her curiously for a moment before emerald eyes widened, and she backtracked waving a hand frantically as if to erase the thought, “oh no Ori, Hobbits do not bear inner names. My full name is akin to a Dwarrow full outer name.”

“Not to mention Nightshade,” Nori added from where he had drawn Ivy alongside Billa, his voice relatively quiet.

“Nightshade?” Ori asked after a moment having regained her breath.

“Yes, a play on my Mother’s name, and useful when one is trying to remain anonymous,” she answered emphasising the last word with a pointed look at Nori.

“Why keep it quiet now? Dwalin already knows who you are,” the Thief commented. Billa paused a moment.

“Perhaps, but I have a feeling that that name is going to be needed in the future, the less people know about the bearer of the pseudonym the more useful it will be,” she said her voice serious. Nori simply raised a braided brow at her in inquiry.

“Do you think the occurrences in New Nogrod will just cease?” Billa demanded lowly, sharing a deliberate look with Nori, “those who are causing trouble for the Line of Durin will follow with the caravans once Erebor is reclaimed. I very much doubt that they will stop whatever it is they are planning unless every member of the Line is dead.”

“You think the one behind the assassination attempts seeks something from the Line of Durin?” Ori asked quietly. Billa hadn’t even noticed that the three of them had drifted to being the last in the line of ponies, even going so far as to be behind Flax and Hollyhock.

“Yes, what they seek however is beyond me at this moment in time. With such little information I would simply suggest it be either vengeance or a desire for the throne but both of those do not seem to encompass the scale of the attempts. For the throne I can understand putting out hits on all known relations of the Line, but that would not explain the voracious nature of the attempts. One hundred in a year would suggest passionate emotion driving the person,” Billa replied, green eyes reflecting the depth of her thought on the matter.

“And if they were driven by both?” Nori inquired.

“I still believe that only just scrapes the top of the cake Nori,” she answered with a concerned frown, “this is a person who I believe is so driven to see the destruction of the eldest line of Dwarrow Folk, and I just cannot see how a desire for the throne could be that powerful. There is someone out there who feels so wronged by the Line of Durin that their only satisfaction will come with its destruction.”

“Then let us hope our little birds can find something,” Nori said uneasily.

“That’s all we can do, Nori. That’s all we can do,” Billa responded in kind.

Several days later just as dusk was setting in the Company rode into a clearing that housed what remained of a burnt-out farmhouse. The sight filled Billa with trepidation, it didn’t look like an accidental burning. Dismounting when Thorin called a halt, she only listened with half an ear as Thorin and Gandalf argued over the location of their campsite. The hobbit-lass was well aware that Gandalf wanted to take the Company through Imladris and knew one way or another it would happen so simply let the argument wash over her as she examined the farmhouse. At the crunch of the glass beneath her leather shod feet, her trepidation only grew upon noticing that the glass from the windows had been shattered from the outside. The ignition points of the fire, she noticed were also only located on the outside. Her investigations turned up nothing much more but left her feeling nauseated and anxious. By the time she had determined that this was definitely not somewhere they wanted to make camp, camp had already been set and Thorin was in no mood to listen to her.

Taking a seat near the fire, Billa helped Bombur prepare the evening meal keeping her concerns to herself. Nori took notice of her anxiety, but she simply shook her head and accepted the bowls of food she was to take to the princely terrors. Upon entering the adjacent clearing they were using to station the horses Billa immediately noticed there was something wrong.

“We’re supposed to be looking out for the ponies,” Kíli stated

“Only we’ve encountered a slight problem. We had sixteen. Now there’s fourteen,” Fíli continued, and Billa set down the meals before she dropped them.

“Daisy and Bungo are missing,” Kíli reported diligently after looking over the remaining ponies.

“That is rather unhelpful. Should we not tell Thorin?” she asked raising an eyebrow at the two as they shared a look.

“Uhh, no. Let’s not worry him. As our official burglar, we thought you might like to look into it,” Fíli answered confidently looking over at where the hobbit-lass stood, easily making up an excuse so as to not to be scolded by his Uncle. Billa rolled her eyes but acquiesced, beginning to wander the clearing shrewd green eyes analysing the vegetation.

“Something big uprooted these trees,” she stated running her hands over the exposed roots.

“That was our thinking,” Kíli responded his voice serious as he examined the uprooted trees.

“Something very big, and possibly quite dangerous,” she commented drily, eyebrows raised as she turned to face the two Princes-in-Exile.

“There’s a light over there!” Fíli called, beckoning the other two to his side as they made their way closer to survey it better.

“It’s a fire,” Fíli whispered as harsh, guttural laughter sounded from near the now identified firepit.

“A camp?” Billa asked.

“Trolls,” Kíli answered gruffly.

“Right well before you two go and get us caught and made into stew for a Trolls dinner, we are going back to camp and informing your Uncle,” she ordered firmly cutting the two of them off by gripping their ears and frogmarching them back to camp.

Billa stood outside the firelight of the Trolls’ camp and massaged her temples. This was exactly what she had wanted to avoid, but the natures of Dwarrow – or perhaps simply their Idiot King – was to be reckless and rush in to battle. Now seven Dwarves were trussed up on a spit while the remaining six were tied up in overlarge hessian sacks.

“Lady help me, confusticate and bebother these daft Dwarrow,” she muttered under her breath as she listened to the Trolls speak.

“Don’t bother cooking them. Let’s just sit on them and squash them into jelly,” one said.

“They should be sautéed and grilled with a sprinkle of sage,” the one with the ladle responded with a frown.

“Ooh, that does sound quite nice,” the first one answered.

“Never mind the seasoning; we ain’t got all night! Dawn ain’t far away, so let’s get a move on. I don’t fancy being turned to stone,” the last of the Trolls said. A sparkle settled in her emerald green eyes as an idea struck her. Freeing her hair from the tight braid it had been in, she ran her fingers through the knots and smoothed it out before calling upon her innate magic, a remnant of the creation of the Hobytla by the Valier Yavanna.

“I ask the Light to surround me. I ask the Light to flow through me. I ask the Light to heal me. I open my Heart to Yavanna. And, I ask to be protected from those who may not wish me well,” Billa sang under her breath, grinning when her skin began to glow. Plan set in action, Billa strode into the clearing and in a firm voice called out to the Trolls.

“What exactly do you think you are doing with my Dinner?” she stood with her hands upon her hips, as her glow intensified to compete with the light of the fire.

“Oi who’re you?” the first troll demanded.

“I am the resident burr-a-hobbit of this forest and you have just stolen my dinner,” she said primly, looking down her nose at the troll, “not that I was going to be able to eat them this night anyway, they’re completely riddled with parasites you know. I was in the process of readying them for purification when one managed to get out of his bonds and help the other’s escape. Nasty business of course but I shan’t be swayed.”

“Parasites?” the cook asked dismayed.

“Mm quite, I have never come across such a sickly lot. That’s why it took me so long to organise the purifying herbs. I was going to marinade the lot too, my Mother’s recipe for Honey-Mustard Dwarrow is just to die for, you know,” Billa answered ignoring the offended cries of the Dwarrow and affecting a disappointed tone, “I doubt they’ll be able to purified now, the infection has had the chance to settle in too deep. I mean can’t you smell it?”

“Smell what?”

“The sickness? It’s emanating from the lot of them,” she cried out, her expression one of disbelief.

“I can’t smell nothing,” the second troll sneered.

“Oh dear,” Billa said, “it seems the infection may be spreading. Usually one would have to eat an infected bit of meat, but it appears to be airborne. The only ones who can’t smell the infection are those who have been infected.” Putting on an expression of sympathy she turned back to speak to the cook, “I’ve heard death by parasite is a very long drawn out process, and an excruciatingly painful one too.”

“I feel fine though,” the first troll said.

“That’s what they all say,” she responded not needing to act saddened as she continued to speak “then they begin wilt, their strength fading day by day until they simply waste away. It’s a terrible business I watched several family members succumb to it and all because they didn’t heed the warnings of others.”

“You think I don’t know what you’re up to? This little ferret is taking us for fools!” the third troll exclaimed.

“I do beg your pardon!” Billa cried out affecting an offended stance, drawing the Trolls attention back to her as she spotted familiar grey robes flickering just beyond the firelight.

“Fools?”

“The dawn will take you all!” Gandalf exclaimed

“Who’s that?”

“No idea.”

“Can we eat ‘im too?” Billa snorted, as she danced out of reach of the first troll who made a grab for her just as Gandalf struck the large boulder with his staff; easily splitting it in two to let the sunlight stream into the clearing. The hobbit-lass watched with morbid fascination as the Trolls began to howl and shriek with pain as the sunlight hit their skin, within minutes the Trolls were nothing but stone statues.

“Well that was interesting,” she commented to herself as she unsheathed her hunting knife and began to release the bonds of those caught in the sacks. She released Thorin first and maintained a slightly bemused expression as he somehow managed to maintain a majestic stance as he rid himself of the sack. She then went about releasing the others starting with Glóin, then Bombur, Balin, and Óin. The last to be released was Kíli who had been towards the bottom of the pile of sacked Dwarrow. While the freed Dwarrow helped those who had been trussed up on the roasting spit, Billa set to working free the restraints keeping the hessian sack secured around Kíli.

“Sweet Yavanna, what have you done to yourself,” she tutted as she crouched beside his sack taking note of the excessive restraints used.

“I was wriggling too much and apparently the Trolls were afraid I was going to free myself from the sack,” the dark-haired Prince-in-Exile said, a slight blush darkening his cheeks.

“Well they certainly did a good job trussing you up,” she commented drily as she eased the hunting knife’s blade beneath one of the ropes and easily sliced through it. After several moments of working in silence Billa glanced up to meet dark chocolate eyes, “what is it?”

“You’re gl-glowing,” he stammered out. Pausing her actions for a moment, she looked down at her hands to confirm that yes, she was still glowing.

“So, I am,” she said with a small giggle, “really, the spell should have faded by now.”

“Spell?”

“Ah yes, some Hobbits have some remnant innate magic from when we were created by our Lady Mother Yavanna Kementári. As a descendent of the Tooks, I have a bit more than most,” Billa explained, “some, like the Gamgee’s and the Roper’s have their magic tied to the very earth itself – and make incredibly good Gardeners and Farmers because of it – while others like the Tooks and the Brandybucks are able to invoke our Lady’s favour a bit more. It is one of the reason’s that it is the Hobbits of those clans that make up the Chennad, we are our Mother’s Messengers according to our lore. The Chennad are not elected, they are chosen by our Mother.”

“So, you are like the Priests and Priestesses of Mahal?” Kíli inquired as she continued her work.

“Yes and No. While your Priests and Priestesses of Mahal can invoke Mahal’s favour it is not an inherited skill like it is with the Chennad. That being said, what little magic we can invoke is minuscule in comparison to beings like Gandalf and the Elves. Parlour tricks,” she answered. With a flick of her wrist the last restraint was cut loose allowing Kíli to finally wriggle free of the sack.

“Ah, your glow is diminishing,” he said when he looked back at her.

“I should think so, that it stayed for this long is quite out of the ordinary,” she said with an amused smile as she helped him to his feet.

“Thank you, Miss Baggins. For both distracting the Trolls and for untying me,” Kíli said, bowing in gratitude. Billa simply smiled at the dark-haired Prince-in-Exile as he straightened up again.

“I wasn’t about to let you all get made into a stew, Master Dwarf,” she said with a teasing grin, “so there really is no need to thank me. If I hadn’t thought of something I’m sure Nori or Master Balin would have.”

“Kíli,” the dark-haired Dwarf stated determinedly, with an easy smile, “I would like it if you would call me Kíli.”

“Then it is simply Billa to you, Kíli,” she responded with a slight blush, as her heart fluttered in her chest when the young Dwarf’s smile only brightened. They were both called away before Billa could fully analyse the feeling caused by the Prince-in-Exile’s smile.

Billa had to admit she was not at all impressed by the stench of the troll hoard and had - to save torturing her poor nose - elected to remain outside on watch as the Dwarrow explored the cave. Balin, Dori, Bifur, and Bombur had gone back to camp to pack everything up, while Ori had chosen to stay with Billa. The princely terrors were ordered to round up the ponies that they’d been supposed to be keeping an eye on. Óin was simply milling around outside the cave while his brother, Bofur, Nori, Dwalin, Thorin, and Gandalf had entered the hoard. The Dwarrow that had returned to pack up camp turned up just as Nori exited the cave with a Cheshire grin, marsh green eyes sparkling.

“Dori, a shovel if you would please,” the Thief requested easily catching the tossed shovel before retreating back into the hoard.

“I wonder what he’s doing,” Ori mused.

“Likely burying treasure Ori. Troll hoards are known for housing a great many treasures; from gold, and silver, to precious and semi-precious gems, to ancient relics. Really anything goes in a Troll hoard,” Billa responded patting down her invisible pockets for her Father’s pipe and her pipeweed ration, “blast that Brother of yours, he’s stolen my pipe again.”

“I’ve noticed you and Nori are rather close,” the young Dwarrowdam commented nonchalantly a slight smirk upon her bearded face.

“Not in that way,” Billa blushed, “if anything he is the closest thing to an older brother I have ever had.” Ori smiled at the hobbit-lass’ words.

“How long have you known each other?”

“Twenty years, I stumbled across him after he’d had a run in with some rather shady characters,” the hobbit-lass answered.

“So, you’re the fairy he said healed him!” Ori exclaimed.

“Fairy?” Billa queried, eyebrows raised.

“He was a bit delirious apparently when you first found him and took him to your inn room, so when he related the story to Dori and I after he finally returned home he dubbed you mimzardûna, our closest equivalent to ‘fairy’ in Sigin-khuzdul” Ori explained with a bright smile that set her ocean-green like eyes alight. Billa simply stared at Ori before turning on Nori who had reappeared with those who had entered the hoard.

“You didn’t tell me you once thought I was a fairy Nori,” she called out to him with a teasing lilt. The Thief froze mid step, and a flush began to colour his neck, creeping up beneath his beard to colour his cheeks.

“Bilbo!” he complained, even as he handed the shovel to Bofur and beelined for his sister and his hobbit friend.

“Ori was just telling me how you told Dori and her you were healed by a fairy,” Billa grinned, enjoying Nori’s embarrassment.

“And I have a very talkative nana’dith,” Nori grumbled as Ori giggled.

“I’m not sorry nadad,” she said, with a smile.

“Course you’re not,” he complained again, sending both ladies into another fit of giggles. Their fun was interrupted with Gandalf approaching the trio with what looked to be a sheathed elven long dagger.

“Here this is about your size,” the Wizard said as he offered the blade to the hobbit-lass. Billa accepted the blade with a small smile, studying it carefully as she unsheathed it. The Wizard continued to speak as Billa studied the blade that was the equivalent of a short sword for her, “the blade is of Elvish make which means it will glow blue when orcs or goblins are nearby.”

“Glows? It must have been forged by the High Elves of Gondolin, the knowledge was lost with its fall,” Bilbo commented, earning an intrigued look from the Istari.

“One of these days Bilbo Baggins, you and I are going to sit down and have a nice chat regarding the wealth of knowledge you’ve been keeping to yourself,” Gandalf said with an amused grin. Billa simply smiled.

“You know of my love of books Gandalf, Lord Elrond and Erestor have long since given me free reign of the Library of Imladris,” she stated.

“Hmm, still my dear I shall greatly look forward to it,” he responded smiling gently in kind, before wandering off to speak with Thorin. Billa stood up from the log that she had taken a seat on and unbuckled her belt placing it back on the log and removing one of her daggers to make room for the newest blade.

“What are you going to do about your dagger?” Nori asked, having cooled off a bit while Billa had been distracted by Gandalf. The hobbit-lass paused mid-way through putting her belt back on and considered her twin dagger, before she finished buckling her belt.

“Ori, I know that you have your slingshot and the dagger Nori gave you, but do you have any other weapons?” Billa asked the Dwarrowdam.

“No,” Ori replied.

“Hmm, well then that settles it. Ori until such time that I might need it again, you may hold on to and use my dagger,” Billa said smiling at the ‘dam as she picked up the dagger and offered it to the other young woman.

“Oh, I couldn’t,” Ori began.

“You can, and you will dear,” Billa interrupted, “I’ll not have someone who I have come to consider a dear friend be helpless should your other weapons be taken from you. Keep it hidden someone safe and only use it in emergencies if you must.” Ori appeared very flustered, but a happy smile pulled at her lips as she finally accepted the proffered dagger.

“Thank you Billa,” the dam said taking one of the hobbit-lass’ hands in hers and giving it a gentle squeeze.

“Think nothing of it Ori,” Billa said, squeezing her hand back. Ori let go of her hand after that, sending her another warm smile before rushing over to Dori.

“I’d like to add my own thanks to Ori’s, Bilbo,” Nori commented quietly from beside her as they went to shoulder their packs as the princely terrors had finally returned from rounding up the ponies.

The hobbit-lass studied the Thief a moment before responding softly, “while I know she is older than me in years, Ori is a gentle soul. I will do everything within my power to protect that if I can.” Nori responded by bumping her hip lightly with his own.

“Don’t go saying that around Dori unless you like being suffocated. Dori forgets his strength when overcome by strong enough emotion, and that’d likely send him into tears of gratitude,” he jested, earning a giggle from Billa.

“I will keep that in mind,” she responded with a grin. The Company’s walk to the ponies was interrupted when the sound of something crashing through the underbrush reached them.

“Something’s coming!” Thorin cried.

“Stay together! Hurry now! Arm Yourselves!” Gandalf cried, his expression showing his alarm.

Billa was tense up until she heard cries of “Theives! Fire! Murder!” from the tree’s. A moment later, a sled led by eight large rabbits burst through the trees. Its driver was a man robed in brown with a wizard hat and bird feces coating the side of his face.

“Radagast! Radagast the Brown,” Gandalf said relaxing his fighting stance, “ah. What on earth are you doing here?”

“I was looking for you, Gandalf. Something’s wrong. Something’s terribly wrong,” Radagast cried.

“Yes?” The Company stared as Radagast opened his mouth to speak, only to shut it again. The Brown Wizard continued this motion for a few moments and Billa was quite sure he had forgotten what he was going to say causing her to giggle slightly under her breath.

“Oh, just give me a minute. Um, oh, I had a thought, and now I’ve lost it. It was, it was right there, on the tip of my tongue,” Radagast said before his eyes lit up, “Oh, it’s not a thought at all; it’s a silly old...” Billa shuddered as Gandalf pulled a stick insect from his fellow Istari’s tongue, “stick insect!” When the two Wizards disappeared to speak privately, Billa manoeuvred herself closer to keep an ear on their conversation.  A frown pulled at her lips over talk of Dol Guldur and the Spiders infecting the Greenwood.

“That’s not from the world of the living,” Radagast said catching Billa’s full attention, looking through the tree’s she saw Gandalf holding a bundle wrapped in cloth. Suddenly a howl sounded from nearby.

“Was that a wolf? Are there- are there wolves out there?” Ori stuttered, inching closer to her brother’s.

“Wolves? No, tha’ is no wolf,” Bofur said.

“Wargs,” Billa breathed just as a Warg-Scout burst through the trees from atop a rocky crag. Thorin easily brought it down with a swing from his new blade just as another burst from the other side of the clearing. Kili immediately knocked an arrow and let it fly but it took Dwalin with his warhammer to bring the beast down.

“Warg-Scouts! Which means an Orc pack is not far behind,” Thorin exclaimed.

“Who did you tell about your quest, beyond your kin?” Gandalf thundered storming into the clearing, seeming to have forgotten in his anger the conversation Billa had had with him just after they had left Bree.

“No one,” Thorin answered, gripping his blade tightly. 

“Who did you tell?” Gandalf demanded

“No one, I swear. What in Durin’s name is going on?” Thorin responded. The Company were all on edge, all looking out into the forest.

“You are being hunted,” Gandalf said. Billa froze, head swinging around so fast to stare at the Istar her copper braid smacked her in the nose.

“We have to get out of here,” Dwalin shouted.

“We can’t! We have no ponies; they bolted,” Ori cried out from where she stood with Bofur and Dori having just come back from trying to gather the terrified ponies. Billa remained silent as the Company began to despair.

“I’ll draw them off,” Radagast said with the most clarity she had heard from the Wizard since his strange arrival.  

“These are Gundabad Wargs; they will outrun you,” Gandalf responded concerned.

“These are Rhosgobel Rabbits; I’d like to see them try,” Radagast retorted before jumping onto his sleigh calling out to his rabbits, “onwards Percy, lead on!” with a crazed cackle Radagast shot off.

After a few moments where the Company and Gandalf seemed at a loss of what to do Billa chimed in with false calm, “well are we leaving or do you all wish to become a Warg’s chew toy?”  Gandalf jerked at her words before quickly ushering the Company onwards away from the direction Radagast had taken.

Gandalf led the way through the trees at a run until they reached the treeline to the plains, after making sure the way was clear the escape began. Across the plains they scurried, taking shelter from the Orc-pack by the boulder stacks with Radagast leading the Orcs on a merry chase. Taking shelter in the shadow of a rock outcropping, Billa looked up as her ears caught the sound of heavy sniffing from above them. She watched as Thorin ordered Kili to take it out. His arrow flew true but the dying squeals of the Warg caught the attention of the Orc-pack, even as Bifur and Dwalin leaped forward to deal with the Orc.

“Move. Run!” Gandalf cried, and they were off again. It wasn’t long before they were surrounded and being backed into a different rocky outcropping. Gandalf had disappeared and the Dwarrow had taken to yelling in panic. Billa simply drew her blades and set her stance, she had a fair idea where the Grey One had gone but now was not the time to voice it.

“Hold your ground,” Thorin ordered, unsheathing his sword.

“This way you fools!” Gandalf cried his head popping up from a gap in the rocks.

“Come on, move! Quickly, all of you! Go, go, go!” the Dwarf-King called. The Dwarrow rushing to comply as the Wargs began to advance on them. Bombur, Óin, Ori, and Dori had managed to reach the outcrop just as the nearest Wargs leaped at the remaining members of the Company. A rider-less Warg charged at Billa and the hobbit-lass quirked a crooked smile as she spun away digging her swords deep into the Warg’s side using its own forward momentum against it before yanking her blades free and dodging the jaws of another Warg. Her longsword came up to block a swing from the mounted Orc even as her new blade dug deep into the Warg’s jugular causing the creature to collapse. Blocking the Orc’s next frantic swing with the bloodied elven blade Billa used her long sword to decapitate the fell creature.

It was only Thorin’s cry of “Kíli!” that broke her battle fury, so focused she had been on ending the Orcs and their fell mounts. Casting her eyes over the field, Billa could see that Kíli was struggling to retreat, and was the last bar herself and Thorin to retreat. Making a snap decision, Billa sheathed her elven blade and fished out a few throwing knives from her person as she ran full pelt to the dark-haired Prince-in-Exile’s side. Her first knife pierced the red eye of an advancing Orc, while the next two pierced the throat of another and the forehead of the third. With the advance halted out of shear surprise, Billa grabbed Kíli’s pack and dragged him behind her as she ran for the outcrop. As they neared the outcrop a terrified shout from Thorin warned Billa of an approaching Warg. Using her full bodyweight and forward momentum the hobbit-lass spun around sending Kíli straight at the gap in the outcrop, while also positing herself to take the brunt of the Warg’s weight as it’s jaws snapped down on her right shoulder. The bite followed immediately by searing pain.

“Bwchi!” she hissed even as she brought her dominant left arm and long sword up to stab the Warg in the throat, which forced it to let her go.

“Hobbit!” Thorin yelled.

“I’m coming! Get down into the damn tunnel!” she yelled back, kicking the Warg away from her even as she retreated further towards the outcrop. Once she was close enough, she forced Thorin down the crack first before skidding after him. Thorin looked just about ready to scold her but was interrupted by a horn sounding from nearby which was followed shortly afterwards by the thundering of hooves overtaking the plains. A moment later an Orc tumbled down into the cave, landing at Thorin and Billa’s feet with elvish arrows imbedded in its corpse.

“Elves,” Thorin cursed. Billa took the chance to shift out of Thorin’s sight and make for the Ri’s, sheathing her long sword as she went. Nori looked at her shoulder in alarm, which reminded the hobbit-lass that she’d become a Warg’s chew toy for a moment. Looking down on the injury, she hissed under her breath and she shifted her ripped clothing aside to take a better look at the wounds.

“Remind me not to ever suggest the worst outcome, Nori,” she commented drily as she examined the thankfully not life-threatening wounds. It had barely had a chance to chomp on her before she’d caught it in its throat.

“I’ll gag you if required,” the Thief said in irritation.

“Hopefully not,” she retorted, “now breathe, it is not life-threatening. I just need a safe place to tend to the wounds.” The Thief grumbled under his breath but gently pulled her into his side.

“I cannot see where the pathway leads. Do we follow it or no?” Dwalin called from where he stood at the back of the cavern. Interrupting Nori’s examination of her wounds and allowing Billa the chance to slip out of his grip; which had been tightening the more Nori studied the wounds.

“Follow it, o’course,” Bofur answered leading the way.

“I think that would be wise,” Gandalf said as the Company fell in behind the hatted Dwarf. Billa raised her eyebrows at the mischievous smile that pulled at the Wizard’s lips but said nothing even as she followed along behind Ori. After a short time, Billa shuddered as she felt an aura of peace and power flow over her. Elven Magic, the Grey One has led us to Imladris, she thought amused, a smirk pulling at her lips even as she waved away Nori’s concern. Several more minutes passed before the Company reached the end of the passageway and stepped out onto a platform.

“The Valley of Imladris. In the Common Tongue, it’s known by another name,” Gandalf intoned.

“Rivendell,” Billa helpfully supplied as she let her emerald eyes roam over the Hidden Valley, yet another home away from home.

“Here lies the Last Homely House east of the sea,” Gandalf continued as he led the way down the narrow path into the valley.

“This was your plan all along, to seek refuge with our enemy,” Thorin retorted, expression dark. 

“You have no enemies here, Thorin Oakenshield. The only illwill to be found in this valley is that which you bring yourself,” Gandalf responded disapprovingly.

“You think the Elves will give our quest their blessing? They will try to stop us,” The Dwarf-King cried out.

 “Of course, they will,” Gandalf answered, “but we have questions that need to be answered. If we are to be successful, this will need to be handled with tact and respect and no small degree of charm. Which is why you will leave the talking to me.” Billa muffled her laughter into her left hand, ignoring the confused look Nori sent at her as she continued to giggle at the thought of Gandalf being tactful.

The walk down into the Valley from the Hidden Passage was thankfully a short one, and Billa felt relieved as the Company crossed over the bridge that led to the Last Homely House proper, they finally came to a stop in an elegant courtyard not too far from the bridge. Waiting for them atop the staircase was a dark-haired elf. Deciding to head off any potential issues Billa immediately made for the stairs catching the attention of the ellon.

“Lindir,” she greeted with a warm smile.

“Miss Baggins!” Lindir replied rushing a little faster down the stairs than necessary to crouch before the hobbit-lass, “you did not send word you would be coming to Imladris.” Billa smiled at the bard who appeared to be standing in for his brother Melpomaen – Lord Elrond’s Steward.

“I am currently here on non-Shire business I’m afraid, so I was unable to be sure I would be passing through,” Billa explained by way of apology.

“Of course, Ivanniel,” he replied with a soft smile, before greeting Gandalf without rising from his crouch in front of the hobbit-lass, “it has been some time Mithrandir.”

“Indeed, Lindir we must speak with Lord Elrond,” the Wizard began but Billa cut him off.

“If he is here that is and not out on patrol,” she said.

“Unfortunately, Mithrandir. It is as Ivanniel has said; Lord Elrond is not here at the moment, but he should be returning soon. The elvish horns have been heard announcing their return to the Valley,” the bard said regretfully, before turning his head to acknowledge the Dwarrow as he continued, “but until he arrives however, I am happy to lead your companions and yourselves through to the guest suites so that you may freshen up. I will also send for some food to be sent to your rooms.”

“That would be lovely, thank you Lindir,” Billa said warmly, cutting in before either Thorin or Gandalf could say anything. Turning to eye the leader of the Company as she continued, raising her brows challengingly at him, “we haven’t had much of a chance to eat in the past several hours. The roads have grown more dangerous.” Thorin grumbled under his breath before barking out his orders to the Company in Khuzdul and stepping forward to lead the Company up the stairs. Lindir smiled warmly at the Dwarrow as he rose from his crouch.

“Apologies for not introducing myself before, it has been sometime since I have last seen Miss Baggins, my name is Lindir. It is my honour to serve,” he said bowing to the Dwarrow who had now made their way up the steps to await the ellon to guide them. Billa simply smirked at the bewilderment that crossed the faces of the older Dwarrow at such a greeting, from an elf no less.

They were stopped from going anywhere by the sound of elvish horns announcing the arrival of the Lord of the Homely House. The elvish patrol came thundering into the courtyard just as Billa heard Thorin call out, ““Ifridî bekâr! Hold ranks!” Glancing back at the Dwarrow from where the elvish patrol had caught her attention she saw the Dwarrow had pushed the princely terrors and Ori into the centre of a tightknit circle and had their weapons at the ready.

Deciding enough was enough she shared a disappointed look with Lindir before marching straight up to the Half-Elf Lord before he could so much as say a word, catching him by surprise.

“Forgive me my impertinence my Lord Elrond but that’s quite enough of the dramatics,” Billa stated firmly, with a small frown. Her words drew a laugh from the mounted Half-Elf Lord, who at least had the manners to look at least somewhat apologetic as he dismounted and knelt before her.

“It seems it is I who should be asking for forgiveness Ivanniel, your presence among a party of Dwarrow surprises me my friend,” the dark-haired Elf Lord said.

“Perhaps. I must apologise for drawing the Orcs that hunted us so close to the Hidden Passage, I hope we didn’t inconvenience you too much,” she responded.

“I had wondered what had drawn Yrch so close to our borders, but here now, you are injured!” Elrond said startled leaning in closer to examine the sluggishly bleeding wounds.

“Injured!” Lindir cried rushing over to Billa and looking near close to tears for not having realised it.

“I am quite fine Lindir,” she reassured the ellon before turning to the Elf Lord, “you can look over my injuries once you have been introduced to my Companions and they have been seen to the guest suites. Sleep and sustenance are very much required I’m afraid, last night we were attacked by Trolls and this morning by Orcs, it’s been a very busy time.”

“You make a sound suggestion. Come, introduce me to your companions and then Lindir can lead them to the guest suites. You my friend will be coming with me directly to the Healing wing, I would deal with your wounds as soon as possible,” Elrond stated before straightening from his crouch and walking beside the hobbit-lass towards the now slightly less tense company of Dwarrow.

“Lord Elrond let me introduce you formally to the leader of our Company, Thorin Oakenshield the Second, son of Thrain, son of Thror,” Billa said formally taking a few steps up to place herself between the Dwarrow and the Elf Lord, “Master Oakenshield, this is Lord Elrond Peredhel. Lord of Imladris.”

“It is an honour to finally meet you King Thorin, I knew you grandfather when he ruled Under the Mountain.”

“Indeed, while he made no mention of you Lord Elrond, I still thank you for accepting us into your home,” the Dwarf-King said neutrally.

“I am sure he wouldn’t have, his disposition was greatly soured towards Elves after Thranduil’s slight,” Elrond commented his voice smooth as he offered what Billa believed to be an olive branch.

“There is truth enough in that,” Thorin agreed solemnly much to the hobbit-lass’ delight accepting the peace offering for what it was.

“But that’s enough talk for now, I am sure we shall have the chance to speak together during the feast tonight. For now, I shall have Lindir guide you to your rooms. Please do not hesitate to ask him for anything you might require,” the Elf Lord said, gesturing for Lindir to come forward, after a brief conversation in Sindarin the bard bowed and turned to the Company.

“If you would follow me, I will lead you to the guest suites closest to Miss Baggins’ rooms, my Lord and I believe you will feel more comfortable there as that particular guest house is a bit further away and affords more privacy. Mithrandir your usual rooms are waiting for you as always,” the bard said smiling at the Dwarrow. Thorin sent Billa a bewildered look before acknowledging the ellon’s words and thanking him for the consideration before following him into the Last Homely House. After watching the Dwarrow disappear down the hall and Gandalf vanish off towards his own rooms, Billa turned to the Elf Lord.

“Thank you, my friend,” she said gratefully, “I am sorry for our unannounced arrival, unless it is indeed here that Gandalf visited while we were dealing with the Trolls?”

“He did come by yesterday to ask if I would be willing to help with some academic inquiries,” the Half-Elf stated.

“Of course, he did,” she murmured, continuing at a more reasonable tone, “well that can be considered later when all affected parties are present. Perhaps it would be best we head to the Healing wing, I must confess my wounds are quite painful.”

“Of course, let’s see what you’ve done to yourself this time Ivanniel,” Elrond jested leading the hobbit-lass through the halls with a gentle hand on her uninjured shoulder.

“I became a Warg’s chew toy that’s what,” she said drily earning her a chuckle from the Elf Lord as they made their way towards the Healing wing.

Billa huffed out a relieved sigh as she lowered her body into the steaming hot water of the hot spring baths located within the Guest House her room was located in. After leaving Elrond in the Healing wing, the hobbit-lass had eagerly made for the baths; only stopping off in her room long enough to eat the meal that was left for her and grab some clean clothes and her soap before rushing off to the springs. It had been a long few weeks, with limited chances for washing, except if they passed by a stream or river. The last proper bath – if it could be called that – was just after they had crossed the River Hoarwell, as the Last Bridge had eroded away some of the bank to provide a sheltered cove of sorts. The water had been freezing however and their time short.

Green eyes tracked the steam as it curled off the water’s surface, a satisfied smile pulling at her bow-like lips. After a few more moments of soaking, Billa set to work scrubbing the dust, dirt, and additional grime from her skin and hair, using the provided hair oils to moisturize the dry curls and give them life again. With a contented sigh she stood from the water and stepped out onto the cool stone tiles of the baths, reaching for one of the large fluffy towels to dry herself with. When she turned to where she set her clothes a startled laugh fell from her lips; for instead of the fresh tunic and trousers she’d brought with her, a hobbit-sized elven gown lay in its place.

“Elvish terrors” she giggled, even as she stepped towards the gown and dressed herself in fresh undergarments before slipping into the silk dress. It was two-toned in colour, the sleeves a pale green while the remainder of the dress was deep emerald. Billa simply smirked at the image she would present to the Dwarrow once she sought them out, though she had to admit she was grateful the dress was one of the ones in her closet with a more modest neckline. She wasn’t quite comfortable showing off her scars to the Company just yet.

Gathering the items she had brought with her and taking note of her missing clothing, both clean and dirty, the hobbit-lass exited the baths and in non-booted feet glided back to her suite. Depositing the small pile back in her rooms, she left quickly to seek out the Company. It didn’t take long for her to find them, though she did hide a smirk at their overall cleanliness; spotting wet hair and skin rubbed pink.

“So, you did find the baths. I shouldn’t have doubted Lindir’s thoroughness,” she said by way of greeting as she entered one of the private courtyard balconies unique to this Guest House. It had been hewed from the rock of the valley directly, with an array of vegetation coaxed to life in various planter boxes scattered around the balcony. The view of Imladris was uncontained but it was clear that none would be able to look upon the balcony from anywhere else in the Last Homely House.

“Your elf-friend takes his job as steward very seriously,” Thorin grumbled in acknowledgment.

“Lindir is not the steward his brother Melponaem is, I can only assume that Figwit is on some diplomatic visit to Lothlorien or some such,” Billa responded, as she walked over to the balcony to enjoy the view, “although Lindir does stand in for his brother in such times, he is actually a bard.”

“You dress as if you are one of them,” Glóin rumbled from where he sat on a stone bench smoking his pipe, his glorious red beard recently brushed and rebraided.

“I had not intended to, but when I went to dress after my bath I believe Lord Elrond’s sons, Elladan and Elrohir may have ordered my clothes swapped. Absolute devils they can be,” Billa responded with an amused smile, “I should warn you all however, those two mean no harm with their mischief if you happen to get caught by it.”

“Not more mischief makers,” Dwalin grunted eyeing off the two Princes-in-Exile who had their heads bent together – golden and raven strands entwining – and were whispering.

“We can only hope they do not meet the Twins,” Billa stated, “but having said that the Twins have a nose for mischief, it would be better to pray they don’t burn anything down.” She muffled her giggle at the near unanimous groan from the eldest Dwarrow of the Company, even while Bofur roared with laughter and Bombur sat quietly eating some travel bread.

“What did you say about not letting you speak of the worst outcome?” Nori commented drily, as he meandered over to the balustrade with Ori.

“I did not suggest the worst outcome possible, though I can understand if you don’t believe me,” she answered.

“I guess we shall just wait and see,” he responded with a wary glance at the princely terrors, before turning marsh green eyes back to her. “Your shoulder?”

“Cleaned and healed by elvish medicine and no doubt a touch of the magic they wield, I will likely have nothing but a scar to show for it by the end of the week,” she responded, pulling aside her collar to show the Thief the raw pink skin that stretched over one of the bite wounds.

“It is good to hear,” he said losing a bit of the tense set to his shoulders.

“What Nori will not admit is he was very worried about you,” Ori piped up stepping closer to the hobbit-lass and scooping up one of Billa’s hands in both of hers.

“Thank you, Ori,” Nori commented drily.

“Nori likely has more reason than most to worry about me,” Billa said with a small amused smile, squeezing the ‘dam’s hand gently, “he knows just what kind of trouble I often get myself caught up in.”

“Taking on shady characters in the alleyways of Nartumunzahar, a Mahal damned magnet for bandits, not to mention your uncanny ability to run into Orcs, everywhere, all the time,” the Thief listed off on his fingers, his tone dripping in sarcasm, “and that’s just the most common.”

“Really?” Ori asked anxiously, looking between the two friends.

“He tells the truth,” Billa sighed, before commenting, “I appear to be a beacon for trouble, though I have found it is usually only me that is affected. Whenever I travel with company it is only ever me that stumbles into trouble. Unless Nori is with me of course, then we both get caught up.”

“Half the trouble she walks into! She’s challenged some of the most dangerous people in the underground simply to save others from themselves,” Nori’s voice sounded slightly strained, “you will likely be the death of me Bilbo, Ori never causes me this much anxiety.” Billa and Ori giggled as Nori massaged his temples.

“Now you know how I feel,” Dori commented as he wandered over to join his siblings and the hobbit-lass.

“I was about to say something similar Master Dori,” Billa responded with a warm smile, “Nori will likely turn me grey long before my time with the trouble he gets up to.”

“There is a reason my hair is silver Miss Baggins, and it is not because I am old by Dwarrow standards.”

“Nadad’ugmal is only one-hundred-and-forty-four,” Ori supplied helpfully, with a bright smile at Dori.

“Still in your prime,” Billa complemented, earning a bashful smile from the eldest Ri before his expression grew serious.

“And yet too young to have ever seen Azsâlul'abad, I grew up on the stories our Mother told me, which I went on to tell Nori and Ori.”

Billa studied the silvered Dwarf a moment before speaking. “It is my belief that the longing for Erebor, lies in the collective memory of Durin’s folk. You need not try to explain to me why you feel that longing as if it was your own,” she said, not realising that she had earned the full attention of the entire Company, “the longing is a part of you. It is just as personal, as it is collective. For when Smaug came he took your home from you, not just those who were alive at the time. Wanting to reclaim your true home, to find a place to belong is not so hard to understand.”

“You speak as though from experience lass,” Balin said, from where he stood near Thorin watching her. Billa flushed bright pink upon realising that she’d been heard by everyone.

“Well, ah, I suppose so?” she stammered slightly, clearing her throat she continued “before Hobbits settled in the Shire, we were a nomadic people. We refer to that period of our history as the Wandering Days. Our collective memory of the time is formed by the songs, and tales that are passed down from our elders to our faunts. Every Hobbit remembers as though they personally were there.”

“Truly?” Ori asked, ocean green eyes alight in fascination.

“Yes. From what we can recall, our race originated in the Anduin Vale; likely around the Gladden River. The tales never tell of exactly what drove us out of the Vale although I have several theories, but driven we were and our Wandering began.”

“Are you allowed to impart your histories? I would love to record a book on Zantulbasn histories and culture,” Ori asked, near vibrating in excitement.

“Of course, I’m sure it would go against most Hobbit’s sensibilities to do so, but I do believe it will be the first of its kind and for that reason alone I would be more than happy to,” Billa responded with a warm smile, squeezing the excited Dwarrowdam’s hands with both of her much smaller hands.

“You will not be exiled for telling us of your culture?” Kíli asked suddenly appearing with his golden-haired brother not far behind.

“No Kíli. If anything, I will have just solidified my place as one of the ‘Undesirables’ and Lobelia will finally leave me alone because she will have no desire to be associated with me any longer,” she said with a broad grin, “and that is yet another reason to impart Hobbit culture, history, and tradition to Ori here to record.”

“Undesirables?” Fíli queried golden eyebrows raised in curiosity.

“A rather derogatory term I will admit,” Billa explained, “it refers to those who have lost all respectability, something which Hobbit’s hold in high regard. It usually is used to describe spinsters and confirmed bachelors, as they have – in the eyes of most Hobbits – failed to do their duty; marry and procreate.” At this she wrinkled her nose in distaste, before continuing, “it is also used to describe my Mother and I – women who have the taste for adventure.”

“What happens if you are labelled an ‘Undesirable’?” Ori piped up, having let go of Billa’s hands to reach for the small notebook and charcoal she kept in her pocket.

“Nothing. Well, not really. Often, we are given labels such as ‘Mad Baggins’ or ‘Fool of a Took’, but we go on to live reasonably well. Being labelled as such does not lose us our inheritance or anything like that, if anything you just might not have certain individuals wish to interact with you more than absolutely necessary and hear a bit more from gossiping busybodies more than is usual.  So, all in all the perfect way to get Lobelia to bugger off,” Billa answered with a wink and a giggle.

“Ah so that’s why the Zantulbasn I asked for directions from asked why I wanted to see Mad Baggins,” Balin commented.

“Aye that would probably be why,” Billa smiled, “I have earned myself quite the reputation as an ‘Undesirable’ in recent years; the only official female Chennad within the Shire, a hobbit-lass who has taken up arms, refusing to marry – the last has mostly had to do with Lobelia to be perfectly honest, the harpy just won’t let up.”

“And the fact you are one of the wealthiest Gentle-Hobbit’s within the Shire,” Nori commented leaning back against the balcony rail and propping his elbows behind him casually on the carved stone.

“Yes, that too I suppose.”

“I still wish you would let me deal with that Proudfoot fellow,” the Thief responded.

“I’d rather you didn’t go and rough up Guido Proudfoot, he and Angelica Bunce are quite happily engaged now that he’s taken his sights off Bag-End,” she said amused.

“Why would he have his sights on your home?” Ori asked a tad confused.

“Because as Nori stated, I am among the wealthiest heiresses in the Shire,” Billa explained, “and Bag-End is the most expansive estate in Hobbiton, with only the Great Smials of Tuckborough and Brandy Hall beating it within the whole of the Shire. It is a symbol of wealth and has been highly sought after since my Father had it built as a wedding gift for my Mother under the Hill, which has always been owned by the Baggins family.”

“It was a lovely home,” Dori complemented

“Yes, there has been no finer smial crafted in recent history. Many believed such a smial was not worthy of an Undesirable like my Mother. Regardless of the fact that she was the eldest daughter of our late Thain, and sister in law of the current Master of Buckland,” the hobbit-lass stated.

“Wait, are you telling us lass that you are essentially a Princess of your people?” Balin demanded in shock. Billa’s eyes widened as she shook her head vigorously.

“No, not at all. My Grandfather Gerontius Took was the previous Thain, which is not a monarchical title at all. It is akin more to a General or I suppose if you must attribute it as such a Lord, not that Hobbits take much note of it beyond the administrative duties entailed. The Master of Buckland is a similar sort of title, both are inherited but the Shire is governed more by collective council of the Heads of Families, the Thain, the Master of Buckland, and the elected Mayor of Michel Delving. It is far less autocratic than you are suggesting. If anything, I am simply the daughter of two of the wealthiest families of the Shire,” she stated ending with firm nod of her head, “not a Princess. We wouldn’t know what to do with such a title.” There appeared to be a collective sigh of relief from the Company at her words.

“I told you they would think they’d kidnapped a Princess,” Nori said cheekily. Before Billa could retort, a soft cough caught the attention of the occupants of the courtyard. Looking towards the entrance the Company was presented with two identical ellons.

“Apologies for interrupting, but our Father would like to invite your party to join him in a feast this evening. He has sent us to be your guides,” the dark-haired ellon on the left stated.

“Elladan. Elrohir,” Billa greeted hiding a wince as she internally prayed to Yavanna for mercy.

“Ivanniel! Ada told us you were here, but we did not see you there,” the dark-haired ellon on the right stated; Elrohir from what Billa could tell.

“Unfortunately, I am not here purely as a social call. Though depending how long we will be staying, I will be arranging to do some business with your Father, Melpomaen, and Erestor,” she responded, breaking away from the Dwarrow to approach the Twins.

“Of course, Ivanniel. We do hope though, that you will get a chance to regale us with some tales of your journeys. You always do tell some of the best stories, Estel would no doubt be distraught if you were unable to visit with him,” Elladan said.

“It will all depend on when we are to depart, my friends,” she responded neutrally, glancing back over her shoulder at Thorin before turning back to the ellons. “Now you said something about a feast, it would do no good to be late,” she chided lightly with a smile.

“Of course, of course. Please follow us, we will lead you to the Dining Hall,” they chimed in unison before turning on their heels and leading the Dwarrow and hobbit-lass through the Last Homely House.

Dinner went as well as Billa had expected, with only minor incidents regarding the offered salads before she had intervened and requested the mains be brought out before the Dwarrow rioted. Elladan and Elrohir had appeared put out by her interference which only earned them both a disapproving glare from the hobbit-lass, even as the elven servers arrived with platters of roasted vegetables, breads, fruits, and cheeses. While most elves did not eat meat as a regular part of their diet they were known to partake in it from time to time, much to the Dwarrow’s surprise when a platter of meats was produced.

Billa had been seated up at the head of the table with Elrond, Gandalf, Thorin, and the Twins, and had been an avid listener to the conversation between the Wizard, Half-Elf Lord, and the Dwarf-King. Only choosing to add a comment here and there when appropriate. They spoke of the journey hitherto and when the topic of the Trolls came up quickly turned to discussion about the blades both Gandalf and Thorin had discovered. Billa listened with half an ear as Lord Elrond easily named both blades and honoured that they should be used and not kept as relics to catch dust. Mathoms, Billa had laughed internally. It was towards the end of the meal that Gandalf approached the subject of the map, and Elrond had conceded to look over the documents after the feast, and so it was Billa was seated calmly observing the Elf Lord and the Wizard as they awaited Thorin’s return with Balin. She had to admit she wasn’t exactly sure why she was there.

“Pray tell, why exactly am I here for this meeting?” she asked, green eyes flickering between the two big folk.

“Because my dear, you are a wonderful neutral party in this and will serve well as mediator,” Gandalf stated.

“That you feel the need for one such mediator says much Grey One,” she commented, “but as you say I will do my best.” It wasn’t long before the two Noble Dwarrow arrived and the discussion began. 

“Our business is no concern of elves,” Thorin sniped and Billa fought her desire to roll her eyes as the discussion quickly devolved into yet another argument.

“For goodness sake, Thorin, show him the map,” the Wizard snapped back.

“It is the legacy of my people; it is mine to protect, as are its secrets,” the dwarf retorted stubbornly

“Save me from the stubbornness of Dwarves. Your pride will be your downfall. You stand here in the presence of one of the few in Middle-earth who can read that map. Show it to Lord Elrond,” Gandalf commanded, his tone leaving no room for the argument to continue.

“Mayhaps if we are to consider the fact that no one else can discover the secrets of the map, it would not be so bad to trust it with Lord Elrond this once?” she suggested calmly as she met Thorin’s eyes for a moment before he broke the gaze to look at the map he carried. Thorin remained silent, ignoring the eyes of all in the room before coming to a decision, he began to hand over the map to the elf, despite Balin’s objections.

“Thorin, no!” the old dwarf exclaimed.

“Peace Balin, Lord Elrond is a Loremaster. He will take care with whatever he finds,” she said soothingly, pacifying the Advisor slightly.

“Erebor. What is your interest in this map?” the elf lord asked, grey eyes focused on Thorin. Even as Gandalf spouted his ready-made excuse;

“It’s mainly academic. As you know, this sort of artifact sometimes contains hidden text. You still read Ancient Dwarvish, do you not?” the Wizard explained, even as Elrond walked towards where the light of the moon was streaming in from the high windows. As the moonlight illuminated the map, Elrond’s eyes lit up in recognition.   

“Cirth Ithil,” he murmured.

“Moon Runes. Of course. An easy thing to miss,” Gandalf translated, even though Billa had her suspicions that neither Balin, nor Thorin required it, and the Wizard was well aware of her own ability to speak the elven tongue.

“Well in this case, that is true; Moon runes can only be read by the light of a moon with the same shape and season as the day on which they were written,” Elrond responded turning back to face them, meeting Thorin’s gaze easily.

“Can you read them,” the dwarf asked, his gaze intense.

“I should be able to, but it is not quite time. These runes were written on a Midsummer’s Eve by the light of a crescent moon nearly two hundred years ago.”

“Midsummer’s Eve? But that is two weeks away,” Thorin grumbled.

“Perhaps it is not so bad Master Oakenshield. After the last few days I believe our Company could do with time to rest and recuperate,” Billa commented keeping her voice light with the suggestion. The King-in-Exile studied her a moment before conceding with a nod.

“You put forth a strong argument there, Miss Baggins,” he stated.

“It was merely a suggestion,” she responded with a nod of her own before turning her head to speak to the Elf Lord, “I hope it would not be too much trouble Lord Elrond if we were to impose upon you until the map’s Cirth Ithil can be read?”

“Not at all my dear Ivanniel, it would be a pleasure to host you until then,” he answered with a warm smile for the hobbit-lass before acknowledging Thorin, “please feel free to take rest and recuperate from your journey thus far, we shall reconvene for a map reading on Midsummer’s Eve if that is suitable.”

“Thank you for offering your home to us once again Lord Elrond,” the King-in-Exile offered with a slight bow.

“It has been an age since there has been friendship between Elves and Dwarrow, Master Oakenshield,” Elrond said after a moment, “and it is time now to admit the mistakes of our pasts and perhaps make the first steps towards a more peaceful future.” Billa was just as surprised at the Elf Lord’s words as the Dwarrow were, but she was pleased by it nonetheless. Both Dwarves appeared to be struck speechless however, so Billa subtly kicked Thorin from where she was sitting. The Dwarf King jerked slightly and sent her a startled look before he responded.

“Perhaps it shall be so,” he acknowledged.

Billa withheld a sigh as the men folk dismissed themselves, baby steps Billa, baby steps.

Chapter Text

Billa wasn’t quite sure how it happened, but three days into their stay the Twins and the princely terrors began their reign of terror. From pranking unsuspecting Elves and Dwarrow to causing a riot in the kitchens when they ‘rescued innocent sweet treats from the evil clutches of the cooks’. The past week the hobbit-lass had been doing her best to avoid a diplomatic incident between the two races, and so far, she’d been successful; with Lord Elrond and Thorin too exasperated with their prankster kin to blame one another for its cause. In fact, the two had commiserated with the other’s exasperation in a manner that left Billa feeling quite smug, if only the other Dwarrow and Elves could be so easy to convince.

After a particularly messy prank that ended with Lord Elrond, Thorin, and Billa covered in honey, goose down, and flour. The former two finally put a stop to it. Billa kept her silence even as she admitted to herself she found the whole situation rather humourous; watching the sticky, flour and down covered Elf and Dwarf-Lord’s scold their kin, was just too funny. Although she maintained a neutral façade through the scolding, seeing the downtrodden expressions on the faces of the young Princes-in-Exile and the Twins made her heart ache – more so the dejected look on a certain dark-haired Dwarf’s face. So, when she passed by the brothers – as the Twins had scampered off somewhere at the earliest convenience -  to head to the baths to clean herself up, she made sure to whisper;

“Very well-done lads, that was well worth getting caught to see that.”  The lightening of their expressions filled Billa with warmth, as she continued her path towards the baths oblivious to the chocolate eyes that tracked her retreating form.

After her bath, Billa found herself seeking Lord Elrond. She had requested an audience with the Elf-Lord and his advisors the night before as she wanted to ensure she saw her business as Chennad through before the Company left the Hidden Valley. Knocking on his study door, she opened the heavy wood upon the invitation to enter and stepped inside. Green eyes caught sight of Lord Elrond sat behind his desk, with Lord Erestor, and Lord Elrond’s Steward Melpomaen – who had just returned from Lothlorien – sat to the right of the desk; the latter with a small lapdesk upon his lap with parchment and ink at the ready.

“Ah Ivanniel, here to finalise this year’s treaties?” the Lord of Imladris greeted.

“Yes, my Lord. I of course have faith that the Elves of Imladris will honour the oral contracts but I know that it would serve to ease the minds of my Cousin and Uncle if we were to send copies of the signed treaties back to the Shire,” she responded with an easy smile as she glided over towards her usual chair in front of the solid blackwood desk, and seated herself gracefully.

“Of course, it is in no doubt the Thain and Master of Buckland would prefer to have written confirmation on our negotiations,” Erestor inserted with a small smile.

“Fortinbras can be quite fussy like that, but he simply is one to prefer things to be orderly; a rather unusual trait for a Took, but one that serves him well as Thain,” she acknowledged with a sly grin.

“Well, let us look over what we have already, and see what needs further negotiation,” Elrond proposed, handing the hobbit-lass a copy of the pile of parchment he held in his slender hands.

“Well the last time you were here Miss Baggins, our negotiations for the past year were settled as six wagons, three carrying medicines and three carrying the saplings for the orchards,” Erestor began looking over his own pile of paperwork.

“Indeed, we did. In the last year the orchards have taken off well thanks to the saplings you sent us. Recently the farmers of the South Farthing have seen to cultivating saplings from the seeds of the youngest orchard trees, so Fortinbras conferred with the Farmers of Longbottom and Sackville and they have stated we should not need any new saplings for the foreseeable future though they agreed to send word if they were in need. So, we will not be needing to arrange for any saplings this year,” she reported leafing through the parchments, “that said however, we have a greater need for medicines. Predictions are that this winter will be a bad one – colder than has been seen in several years though certainly not as bad as the Fell Winter – Fortinbras, Uncle Gorbadoc, and I believe it would be prudent to negotiate two additional wagons full of our excess summer grains for another wagon of medicines. There are a lot of fauntlings who have not yet seen a particularly cold winter, and there is fear they may not cope, especially those from less privileged families.”

“Of course, for the extra grains one extra wagon of medicines is easily afforded. Our grain stores have seen to be depleted faster over the last year, with the greater number of travellers passing through the Hidden Valley. The extra grain will go a long way in keeping weary travellers fed during their stay and restocked till they reach the next available markets,” Erestor admitted freely.

“It seems that this will suit both parties then, do we have an accord my Lords?” Billa asked.

“We will, though I would also like to extend an offer that should the Shire be in need of skilled healers that word be sent to Imladris. It would not do to see our allies suffer for something we can easily aid in,” Elrond said solemnly. Billa hid a smug smile, she knew the offer would be made once she brought up the – valid – concern for the faunts.

“We can easily afford to send several of our healers if the need arises and should more medicines be required payment can be negotiated at a later date,” Erestor added after a moment of studying a particular piece of paperwork. “We have several apprentice healers who would be up to the task.”

“I would be a fool to refuse such a kind offer Lord Elrond, Lord Erestor. You have my personal thanks as well as the Shire’s,” she answered.

“Then we have an accord, I shall have Melpomaen scribe up the agreements and we will reconvene for the signing once we are happy with their wording,” Elrond stated before dismissing both Erestor and Melpomaen with a few words in hushed elven, both elves farewelled Billa before leaving on near silent feet. Once the hobbit-lass and the Half-Elf were alone the Elf-Lord turned back towards her, grey eyes shrewd as he spoke, “now my dear, why don’t you tell me what’s been bothering you. I have never quite seen you so put out before.”

“Ah, of course you were the one to notice mellonin. I must admit that there was another thing that has been concerning me as of late my Lord, though I must beg your pardon if this is too forward of me. During our travels thus far, I have been able to piece together a fragment of what appears to be the cause of the current feud between Dwarrow and the Eldar. Please forgive me if I’m wrong, but they are under the strict belief that no aid was offered to them in their hour of need. While the ElvenKing Thranduil I cannot speak for as I do not know him, you on the other hand are not someone I see would idly sit by if you were able to offer some kind of aid,” she answered a slight flush darkening her cheeks.

“And indeed, you are quite correct. Thranduil has long since been known to put himself and thus his Kingdom above the needs of others; including those of his own kindred. But when the Dwarrow fled towards Ered Luin, I did offer aid through means of healing, food, and offers to help build a new settlement. In return the letter I received from Thror was ungracious and insolent in its refusal of aid offered freely that I will admit I simply gave up. I had no time for such a boorish Dwarf, and it pains me to think on how many suffered from my own foolishness,” Elrond said in explanation having reached into his desk to pull out a scroll that showed its age and the care for preservation that had gone into keeping it.

“Have you given thought to offering this to Master Oakenshield?” she asked reading through the letter that had been offered to her, it certainly was insolent and rather insulting. “You did mention that you wished to see an end to the conflict between Elves and Dwarrow.”

“Indeed. I did say that, and I have thought on it. But I feel that it would be best to have a mediator sit in on the discussion,” he answered.

“And you wish for it to be me,” she finished without hesitation, her green eyes looking upon the Half-Elf knowingly as she gently rerolled the scroll, “I see no issue with such a thing as long as it is agreed upon by both parties. I would also suggest that you invite Lord Balin and Lord Erestor to the meeting. Having your advisors with you may serve to keep the peace.”

“An excellent suggestion my dear, I will speak to Master Oakenshield this evening over dinner and will send word once something has been decided,” he responded with a smile, even as he took the offered scroll from her.

“Do not forget to bring evidence of both your offer of aid, and Thror’s refusal. It would do Thorin and Balin good to see them and lend support to the truth of your words.”

“I will heed your advice my dear, now it is near midday. We should be making our way to luncheon wouldn’t you say?” the Elf-Lord’s words were met by the hobbit-lass’s stomach sounding its agreement much to her embarrassment.

“I would say that is a yes mellonin,” she responded with pink cheeks.

“Then let us go seek the dining room,” he said offering her a hand down from her seat which she took with a grateful smile.

“Lets.”

The day following her conversation with Lord Elrond, Billa had been most surprised to find she had been sought out by the King-in-Exile. He had finally found her in the library of Lord Elrond’s estate, deeply buried within a mound of books written in a variety of tongues.

“You can be a very hard woman to find Miss Baggins,” he said by way of greeting. The hobbit-lass’s unbound copper curls flared around as her head spun to take in his presence.

“I apologise your grace, I was unaware I was being sought,” she answered politely, although the Dwarf-King could tell she was curious and wary. Perhaps rightly so, he mused, he had not been kind to her these past weeks.

“I have found you at least, I was hoping for a few moments of your time if you are amiable?” he asked, deciding that it was time to take the help she offered and had done so since they had met; his sister trusted her, so he saw no reason why he should not either. The Hobbit had more than proven herself.

“Of course, your grace,” she answered bookmarking her page, before focusing the full attention of her emerald gaze upon him, “what was it you wished to talk about?”

“Lord Elrond spoke to me over dinner last eve, offering to speak about our mutual history in order to pave the way forward, so to speak. He also said that you were aware of what he wished to discuss as it had been you who brought it to him,” he began, taking a seat on the empty chair opposite her book pile.

“In a way my Lord Elrond is indeed correct, although it might be more correct to say I let my curiosity get the better of me and I proceeded to be nosy,” she responded honestly. If she wanted the two Lords to discuss the feud she would need to be honest with Thorin now, though she would be the first to admit the idea made her nervous.

“And what was it that you were curious about,” he asked keeping his tone neutral.

“The current feud between Dwarrow and Elves,” she answered continuing to speak even as she saw his eyes darken and a frown pull at his lips, “while I don’t know much about the ElvenKing nor his reasons for abandoning the Dwarrow of Erebor. I could not help but wonder why help did not come from Imladris, as you were bound to pass close by it on the Road to Ered Luin. So, I asked and received an honest answer, I then recommended to Lord Elrond that if he was serious about mending the relations between the races he should approach you with it. Although I also suggested it be in the presence of your Advisors. He was the one who requested my presence, but I told him what I will tell you now. I will only attend if all parties involved wish for me to mediate.”

“I see, and you believe his reasons?”

“I believe them yes, though I still think that more could have been done. Why do you ask your grace?” she asked studying him carefully.

“I have come to the conclusion that I have been too quick to judge you Miss Baggins. While we have been stuck here I have had time to reflect on your actions over the past months and what I now know about you and I believe it is time I accept the advice you have offered. You are incredibly practical, and I will admit those of the Line of Durin are incredibly head strong,” he answered after a moments silence.

“I see so you wish for me to… what exactly?” she asked not even trying to hide her confusion.

“Be a voice of reason and advice. You have already demonstrated an uncanny skill at negotiation and practicality which is well matched with your intelligence, though you hide it behind an act of innocence and a friendly nature. You are incredibly shrewd in your deductions which you demonstrated in our discussion in Bree. I can only see acknowledging your skills to be of the greatest benefit for not only me but my Company as well; though it has already benefited my people more than I could ever have hoped to know,” he responded, his voice rumbling and gruff but Billa could detect no lie in his words.

“As long as you remember to listen your grace, I see no issues with your request,” she answered with a smile that was ever so slightly sly.

“As it is, I have accepted Lord Elrond’s offer and would also request you attend as mediator if you are amiable. It is clear to me that Lord Elrond heeds your words just as seriously as I intend to from this moment forth, so I believe your attendance can only benefit us,” the Dwarf-King stated with a small smile of his own. He had to admit the Hobbit was amusing.

“Then I will happily mediate for you, and hope to avoid a diplomatic incident,” she said with a teasing lilt to her words.

“My thanks Miss Baggins, a meeting has been arranged to occur tomorrow in Lord Elrond’s study. He said it would afford the most privacy.”

“That it will, and that will likely serve both parties well,” she responded, “if yourself and Master Balin require an escort I will be happy to oblige, I know my way to Lord Elrond’s office quite well as most of my own business with him is often conducted there.”

“I believe it would be wise to take you up on that offer, as you well know I do not have much luck when it comes to directions,” he said and Billa could only stare for a moment shocked speechless.

“D-did you just make a joke?” she asked, green eyes wide.

“I do believe so Miss Baggins,” he answered solemnly though she noted his eyes had a familiar gleam to them that she often saw in his nephews.

“Well then colour me both surprised and humbled my Lord,” she responded warmly, before saying with a teasing smile, “and here’s to think I once thought the Durin humour had skipped you.”

“You have met my sister Miss Baggins, who do you think taught her all that she knows?” he offered, causing the hobbit-lass to let out a peal of laughter that shook her entire body, which also served to pull a chuckle from the usually stoic Dwarf-King.

Once she was calm Billa looked upon the King-in-Exile in a new light. “Perhaps I was also quick to judge, but regardless of our rocky start I believe we could come to be good friends Master Oakenshield,” she said.

“Indeed Miss Baggins, I must agree,” he answered, offering his hand to the hobbit-lass in a gesture of both peace and friendship. She studied him with intelligent green eyes for a moment longer before taking his larger hand in her own smaller one and proceeded to firmly shake it, wearing a small but warm smile upon her lips.

“Then I believe Master Oakenshield, we have an accord,” she said smirking without malice or ill intent, amused when it provoked an answering smirk from the Dwarf-King.

“We do,” he agreed.

Thorin did not linger long after once again confirming that she would attend the meeting and had instead said his farewells before taking his leave. Once she was sure he was gone she called out to the hidden figure who had conveniently not been seen by the King-in-Exile.

“So, Nori. What are your thoughts?”

“He was honest, no political games here,” the Thief said easily. He had come to find the hobbit-lass only to stumble across Billa in conversation with Thorin.

“That was the conclusion I had also come too, what do you suppose changed his mind?” she asked as the redhaired Dwarf sauntered over to take the seat the Dwarf-King had previously occupied.

“Maybe it’s as he said. Your practicality and intelligence provide an outside perspective very few Dwarrow could claim to have, perhaps he has also just figured out that you are rarely ever wrong,” Nori responded with a teasing smile. Billa only half returned it.

“I am not infallible Nori, I have my faults.”

“Yes, but that is what makes you alive Bilbo,” the Thief replied, “I mean look at me, I am a thief, a scoundrel, I get itchy fingers when I see something I like. I am not a good person Bil and yet for some Mahal be known reason you trust me.”

“You are a good person Nori, just not in the usual sense,” she said with a half-smile, “you never kill unless in self-defence or defence of others, you steal food for starving orphans and underprivileged children, you would never leave a child to suffer if you could help it. You may be a Thief Nori, but that is why I trust you, because despite your choice of occupation you are a good man.”

“Then if you can trust me despite my faults – and I have many – then it is not so hard to believe that his Lordship might just have come to trust you similarly now he’s had some time to rub those rocks most Durin’s have for brains together. Sometimes I truly believe Dís is the only one who has any sense.”

“You may be right there,” she chuckled lightly before a frown came to her lips, “but what if he is wrong?”

Nori studied her in silence for several moments before answering her seriously, marsh-green eyes boring into emerald. “Billanna, your biggest vice is your own insecurity. Yes, you are a sarcastic, stubborn, soft-hearted fool who at times is too practical and is far too forgiving, but while they are considered faults and often get you into trouble, they are a large part of what makes you, you. That you acknowledge that you are not perfect makes you a better person than most Bilbo.”

“And yet I cannot help but dwell upon them,” she retorted quietly her lips pulled into a grimace.

“I swear one day I am going to exact my revenge upon every being that ever made you feel so inadequate that you are this fucking insecure,” Nori growled, rage simmering, “Bilbo. You are one of the wisest, most intelligent, kind, and gracious beings I have ever had the pleasure to know. Despite your privileged life, you do not hesitate to treat everyone you meet as an equal, and don’t get me started on your sense of justice – perhaps I should have listed that as a vice. You are a beautiful young woman who is multi-talented and could charm a tree into tap dancing if you wanted to. Yes, you have your faults but they by no means define you.”

Billa sat in silence staring at Nori in shock even as grateful tears glistened in her emerald eyes, when she finally regained control of her voice she croaked out, “Thank you. It’s been a long time since someone was so incensed on my behalf.”

“Yeah well get used to it mimzardûna, I will tell you as often as necessary. I was also quite serious about exacting revenge,” he responded leaning over to tap his knuckles lightly against her forehead causing her to giggle wetly.

“You might have to go after half the Shire then,” she responded unsteadily.

“And you think that’d stop me?” he asked, “you are as dear to me as Ori is Bilbo. I will not let this go so don’t bother trying.” At his last words Nori had to scramble to catch the projectile Billa had turned herself into launching herself at him the way she had, the tears she had been holding back making quick tracks down her cheeks as she sobbed into his tunic. Nori simply held the sobbing hobbit-lass close, rocking them slightly as he let her cry. He knew it had likely been a while coming with so many memories of her parents being pulled out during the journey so far. Once she’d finally calmed herself down, she apologised wetly for snotting all over his tunic.

“None of that now, mim-zê. You never truly let yourself grieve for your parents, and I’m hardly going to be angry at you for grieving. Though this is perhaps not the best time for it, and it certainly isn’t the right way to go about it, I would like to formally acknowledge you as my sister in all but blood,” the redhaired Dwarf said looking down at the hobbit-lass sat on his lap. Tears threatened emerald green eyes again as she stared at the Thief in shock.

“You would accept me as your family?” she whispered as if afraid to speak any louder.

“Aye I would, you’ve been too long without in my opinion and it’s something I’ve been considering for years but my siblings did not know you then,” he answered, eyes showing slight concern when it seemed as though she was going to cry again, “not that you have to accept of course, you’ll still be my best friend.”

“Of course, I accept you ninny!” she cried out wetly as she embraced the now smiling Dwarf fiercely.

“Oh good. I thought you might, but you know I hate assuming things. It often leads to trouble.”

“That I do. Now what do we need to do to make this official?” she asked.

“I will braid your hair with the akrâgbaraf bead I crafted for you and that is that, it is simply a claim that will be visible to all Dwarrow that you are considered family to me, and if my siblings wish to accept you in turn they will add their own beads to the braid, but that will be up to them.”

“Alright then, can we do this now or?”

“I have carried the bead with me for the past five years akrâgnana’ yes we can do it now,” he answered, easily lifting her to sit on the floor in front of him. He set about sectioning off a section of her hair just behind her left ear and made quick work of the braid capping it with a beautiful oblong bead clasp that had green thread weaved around the copper of the clasp, with tiny gold leaf-like charms secured onto the green weave.

“It’s beautiful,” she said after taking a moment to fully appreciate its beauty.

“I’m still surprised at how it turned out. I am usually terrible at working with metals as my Craft lies in weaving, but crafting the clasp worked out to be a bit easier than expected. I had to work with the thread though, as soon as I saw it I knew what I had to use it for. One of the few things I actually purchased.”

“And the charms?”

“Same as the thread, I bought them at one of the markets of Nartumunzahar. As soon as I saw them, I knew they had to be for the bead”

“So, the bead is a show of your Craft in the thread and the clasp and your respect for my heritage and me with the fact you found leaf charms and purchased them?” she said tilting her head back to observe him as she clarified her deduction, and earned herself a blush from the Dwarf she could now call brother.

“Yes,” he answered after a moment.

“Thank you, Nori. I adore it,” she said smiling warmly at the Thief who relaxed minutely before leaning down and gently knocking his forehead against hers.

“I’m glad. Now, there actually was a reason I sought you out. Ori has been near to bursting wanting to discuss more Hobbit-y history with you. I thought I would seek you out just to save my ears from another round of ‘do you think Billa would mind terribly if…’” he said causing Billa to laugh.

“Of course, give me a hand putting these books back and then we can go find your sister,” she responded easily, getting to her feet. Nori let out a long-suffering sigh before agreeing and the two set about returning the books to their shelves. Not long afterwards the two left the library in search of the Company’s youngest member.

They found Ori in one of the many gardens of their Guest House watching the other Dwarrow training, with her notebook open in her lap and inkpot set beside her on the stone bench she was sitting on. Nori and Billa made their way around the sparring Dwarrow by hugging the edge of the clearing, and Billa smiled in greeting when Ori turned to look at them as they approached.

“Oh Billa, would you mind…” Ori began to say only to stop when Nori groaned, Billa grinned.

“Of course, Ori. That’s why Nori came and sought me out for you,” she responded glancing back at the Thief who at that moment was wearing a neutral façade and appeared to be watching the sparring.

“Oh, thank you Nadad,” Ori said before her ocean-green eyes caught the braid hidden among Billa’s long copper curls, “I see you finally asked her Nori. I told you she’d say yes.”

“Yeah, yeah nana’dith you didn’t even know who I made the bead for originally,” he retorted pink dusting his cheeks.

“Well I knew it wasn’t a courting bead as you still carry your ênâd'ebnel,” she said, “and it wasn’t too hard to figure it out after meeting Billa. You hover worse than Dori does.”

“I do not!” Nori cried out, not particularly liking being likened to his older brother, “I don’t hover do I Bil?”

“Sorry Nori, but I must agree with Ori here,” Billa answered with an amused smile, “even with your reasons I would still call it hovering.”

“Then stop getting yourself in trouble,” he retorted.

“I can’t help it Nori, it’s not like I go looking for it.”

“I would beg to differ at times, anyway shouldn’t you be imparting Hobbit-y history or something?” the embarrassed Dwarf said before disappearing over to the far side of the garden to sit next to Bofur. Billa and Ori shared a glance before devolving into giggles at Nori’s expense, once the hobbit-lass had calmed herself she took a seat next to Ori.

“What did you want to discuss this time Ori?”

“Well we have covered Hobbit governance, hierarchy, and the Shire. We have also covered the etiquette, expectations and mannerisms of Gentle-Hobbits, from the importance of Afternoon Tea and Elvensies for maintaining relations with other Gentle-Hobbits to what is appropriate conversation topics. Which to me really does seem to be all rather political,” the young Dwarrowdam said flicking through her notebook, “so I suppose my next avenue of questions should either be courting customs or the importance of seven meals a day.”

“Well I can answer the latter quite easily before going on to answer the former if you would like?”

“You would do both?”

“Of course. Neither is really a secret, so I don’t see why not,” the hobbit-lass said before beginning to explain, “Hobbit’s are known for having a very high metabolism and with how many of us work the land we expend a lot of energy and thus we need to eat a lot to stay healthy. A lot of the less privileged only eat four meals a day, so they are quite a bit thinner than the Gentle-Hobbits that barely move a finger and have the money to waste on enough food to have the seven meals; first and second breakfast, elvensies, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and supper. Most even go so far as to eat a midnight snack as well.”

“I noticed you put out a wonderful spread when we dined at Bag-End, but you also have appeared to be fine only eating three meals a day?” Ori queried, hand poised ready to begin writing again.

“Since becoming one of the Chennad and travelling with my Mother before that, I have adapted to only eating four meals a day as seven full meals a day is not very efficient when one is on the road,” Billa said with a playful smile, “so I am rather thin in comparison to most Gentle-Hobbits. As for the spread; I keep my pantries as full as most of my contemporaries as at least twice a month I host a soiree at Bag-End for all of my tenants and I ensure that they all leave with whatever food is leftover. My tenants all eat at least six meals a day as I do not charge a high lease on my estates unlike some others, and if for whatever reason they are struggling I am known to feed families straight from my own pantries.”

“How is it you’ve managed to maintain your wealth?”

“I suppose that is a fair question as I have at least thirty families leasing upon my estates. I am very good at haggling for a fair price for my tenant’s wares when I take them to the markets of Bree and throughout the Shire and I receive ten percent of the total profit. The Baggins’ vineyards also have proven to bring in quite a bit of revenue, with the last few vintages selling for a high profit. The land I inherited from my Mother’s dowry in the South Farthing is being leased to the leaf-farmers of Longbottom, and as part of the rent I receive five percent of all profits of Old Toby,” Billa answered, unaware she had caught the attention of Balin from where he had been observing the sparring Dwarrow, “I have also invested my wealth wisely in several businesses recently and have as a result near doubled the wealth that my Father left me in three years. Smart investments and reasonable rents, have had a lot to do with it.”

“You are very good with numbers Miss Baggins,” Balin said wandering a bit closer so he could take part in the conversation and yet still observe the young Princes-in-Exile in their training.

“My Father was a very shrewd business-hobbit Master Balin and he taught me everything I know. By the end of his life I was the one managing our estates fully, I think it brought him joy to see them flourish as they have,” Billa responded with a sad smile, “when he died he admitted he was put at ease knowing that the families under our care would not suffer with me as the Master of Bag-End.”

“Is that why you chose your Cousins to take over Bag-End?” Ori asked.

“Yes, Drogo and Primula will continue the work that my Father and I started, of that I have no doubt. Drogo is even better than I am with numbers believe it or not, and Primula is a mean haggler so I know that my tenants are in good hands,” the hobbit-lass replied with certainty, “I also left instructions that if anything were to happen to me, or to them that Bag-End and her estates were to pass on to Hamfast Gamgee and his wife Bell. They have been good friends to my family and to me for years and I would see them comfortable. That I would prefer people who would love Bag-End like it deserves over people like the Sackville-Baggins’, well that’s for me to know.”

“So, food is very important to Hobbits?” Ori queried after a moment drawing the conversation back to the original subject.

“Yes, for the reasons I listed before and for its role in courting, which is why I had no issues speaking of both as they are somewhat linked.”

“So, courting?”

“Indeed. Hobbit courting customs follow three major steps. The first of which is done with bouquets of flowers as a show of intent; the flowers used in the initial bouquet must show the intent of the suitor and reflect their opinion of the one they wish to court.”

“How can that be represented through flowers?”

“Flowers have their own language and can mean many things alone or among a bouquet, and the manner in which they are given can indicate the manner in which the meaning should be received. We Hobbit’s actually have a poem that speaks of the flower language if you would care to hear it?”

“Oh yes please,” Ori said. Billa simply smiled as she closed her eyes to recite the poem in the common tongue.

“There is a language, little known, Lovers claim it as their own.
Its symbols smile upon the land, wrought by nature’s wondrous hand;
And in their silent beauty speak, of life and joy, to those who seek
For Love Divine and sunny hours in the language of the flowers.”

(The language and poetry of flowers, [1875] Marcus Ward & Co., Pott, Young & Co. London.)

“That is beautiful,” the young Dwarrowdam said, even as she wrote the poem down.

“I’ve always thought so,” Billa said, “so bouquets of flowers are always the first courting gift. Should the intent be accepted, the courting couple will often meet to go on walks, or meet for Afternoon Tea, or go for picnics; all within the presence of a chaperone of course. This time is used for the couple to get to know one another and to determine if they are indeed suited for each other. The next stage of courting begins if the couple have determined they wish to further their relations, and this is where food becomes important. The courting couple have three instances where they must cook a dish during this stage, one for each other and then together they must cook a meal for their combined family. This is done to demonstrate that the two of them can work together and build a home together, it is also a good test for the couple to see if they really know each other as well as they think they do. It is often at this stage that most courtships go awry and tend to be broken.”

“So, flowers are used to show intent, and food demonstrates the ability to work together, what is the third stage?” Ori asked.

“The third stage is the final courting gift, often called the ‘Wedding Gift’ as it often determines if the couple’s families will approve of the engagement.”

“So, when you said your Father built Bag-End for you Mother as a ‘Wedding Gift’, you mean it was to gain approval from her family?”

“Correct. My Mother was my Grandfather’s oldest daughter and he was very protective of her, so Father determined he would have to demonstrate to Grandfather both the extent of his love for my Mother but also just how far he’d go to gain her hand. So, my Father who was the most respectable Hobbit bachelor of his age, did the most unrespectable thing in his life – he journeyed to New Nogrod to find the best Dwarrow architect to help design Bag-End and returned with the plans and set to work building the third largest smial in the Shire. My father wasn’t a builder, but he got his hands dirty alongside the builder’s he had hired to put his own personal touch to the place.”

“Your Grandfather obviously approved,” Balin commented having been listening to the ladies.

“According to Mother he’d had half a mind to refuse anyway, but Grandmother Adamanta dealt with that quickly. My parents wedding was held only a month later, concluding one of the shortest courtships in Shire history.”

“What was your Mother’s gift to your Father?” Balin inquired, glancing at the hobbit-lass

“Aside from her negotiated dowry, my Mother had a pocket-watch commissioned for my Father. He was well known for enjoying being punctual. So, her gift was well received, and much enjoyed,” Billa answered pulling out her Father’s pocket-watch and handing it over to the older Dwarf to examine.

“It’s excellent craftmanship,” he stated, examining the pocket-watch closely.

“Indeed, which is only to be expected of Dwarrow craftmanship,” she answered with an amused smile as the two Dwarrow looked at her. “My mother had it commissioned in New Nogrod as well, the irony of my parent’s ‘Wedding Gifts’ always serves to amuse me; especially when you find out they were there at the same time and didn’t know until after they were married.”

Balin turned the pocket-watch over and looked for the makers mark, only to laugh. “Ah the craftmanship of such a piece intrigued me, I will admit. But seeing now who crafted it I suppose I should be less surprised,” he said before calling out, “Glóin!” The trio were joined a moment later by the stout auburn-haired Dwarf.

“Yes Cousin?” he said gruffly, though his body language was relaxed and Durin blue eyes showed his curiosity.

“Take a look at this,” the Advisor said handing the pocket-watch carefully to the other Dwarf. Glóin’s eyes studied the time piece closely, and when his eyes landed on the makers mark a grin split his lips.

“Aye this is my Gudni’s work, outstanding as always. Who does it belong to?” he stated.

“It was my Father’s,” Billa answered smiling at the auburn-haired Dwarf as he continued to study the pocket-watch.

“He could not have had a finer watch commissioned. My Gudni, is a jeweller by trade and Craft but with Nartumunzahar having little in the ways of gemstone mines, she turned to watch making and has done well.”

“I would say so, I have always been amazed at how well it withstood the sands of time, as it is older than me by a good ten to fifteen years,” the hobbit-lass responded.

“My Gudni’s work is nothing but extraordinary,” he said puffing up with pride.

“If this is what she can do with a watch, I imagine I would be beyond astounded by her abilities with gemstones,” Billa said, accepting the pocket-watch back and slipping it once again into the pocket of the elven tunic she wore. Glóin grinned at the compliment.

“Aye, her work is unmatched.”

“Just wait Glóin, Gudni says that once I have the chance to craft my Master piece I may yet surpass her,” Kíli called out from where he had just deflected an attack from Bifur.

“You have a long way to go yet,” Glóin called back marching off to take on the raven-haired Dwarf-Prince, much to the amusement of the Company.

“Are there any other customs unique to Hobbit courting?” Ori asked.

“Well, while bouquets of flowers are often used initially to show intent, they remain to be used throughout the whole courting process. Flower crowns and wreaths are used in Hobbit weddings to represent the couple and what they hope to build together, why?”

“Well it seems that Hobbit courting and Dwarrow courting customs are not too different. As we have similar stages within our own customs,” Ori answered, looking to Balin for a moment before continuing once she received a nod from the white-haired Dwarf. “The first stage of showing intent is done through courting beads, and braids. The second stage is demonstrating the couples’ ability to work together in battle as all Dwarrow are taught how to fight, the Dwarrowdam’s who do not join the Guard often being the last point of defence for the children. And the final stage is the final courting gift, similar to your “Wedding Gift” it is something used to demonstrate the extent of how far the two would go for each other and is often Crafted by their own hands.”

“How fascinating,” Billa responded intrigued, “I didn’t realise how similar our cultures were in some respects.”

“There is the difference that most Dwarrow wait until they find their One before courting them and only them,” Balin stated.

“Ah yes, Dwarrow call their soulmates Ones. I suppose you identify your soulmates differently than the way Hobbit’s do,” the hobbit-lass said thoughtfully.

“Hobbit’s have soulmates?” Ori asked.

“We do, though we call ours a Heart’s Home.”

“How do you identify your Heart’s Home?” the Dwarrowdam asked.

“Well there is a reason there is three stages of courting. During the first stage while a couple is getting to know one another, they are also trying to determine if the other is their Heart’s Home. When a Hobbit comes of age, we are gifted a dream from the Lady Yavanna that shows our Heart’s Home to us. Although often we are not gifted a true vision of them, she delivers us enough clues to identify them; be it what they smell like, their favourite food, the colour of their hair, eyes, or something that is symbolic of them,” Billa answered, “and though it is rare, if a Hobbit’s Heart’s Home is of a different race, the Hobbit either ages slower or faster after they come of age. Depending on the race of their soul-mate.”

“Have you found yours?” Ori asked quietly, eyes wide.

“Unfortunately not, Ori. I have also chosen to abstain from courting, due to my prior experience with it.”

“Oh yes, you were saying that many tried to court you to claim Bag-End. Is that common among Hobbits?”

“Not every Hobbit desires to find their Heart’s Home, I will confess many have forsaken it. But not all. Most Gentle-Hobbits are more concerned with maintaining their status and respectability these days, and it is not uncommon for arranged courtships.”

“That seems awful,” the young Dwarrowdam said in horror.

“It is, that is why I have abstained from courting. Although I am beginning to think that my Heart’s Home is not a Hobbit,” Billa confessed quietly, glancing over at Ori who had stopped writing to stare at the hobbit-lass.

“What makes you say that?”

“Since the day I came of age I have remained unchanged. Three years isn’t long of course but I would imagine that I would have noticed any minor signs of aging. Even Gandalf has confessed that he too is surprised at how little I seemed to have aged.”

“Do you know what race?” Ori asked.

“Considering my Heart’s dream, I would say Dwarrow,” Billa commented softly even though Balin had drifted away to coach Fíli in his newest match against Dwalin.

“Can you tell me what clues you were given?” the Dwarrowdam inquired.

Billa remained silent for a moment before answering, “usually the contents of a Heart’s dream are kept private until you identify your Heart’s Home. But I am willing to make an exception if you promise to keep quiet about what I am about to tell you.”

“Of course, Billa. I swear it upon my beard,” Ori said vehemently. Billa smiled gratefully at the Dwarrowdam.

“Thank you, Ori,” she responded lowly, “my dream offered me an array of images, scents, and sounds; chocolate, the scent of sandalwood, a forge, the twang of what I think might have been a bowstring – but I could be wrong about that – a raven, emeralds, and laughter.”

Ori studied the hobbit-lass thoughtfully for a moment, before choosing her words carefully. “And should you have been correct about the bowstring? There are not many Dwarven Archers, though that’s not to say they don’t exist.”

“That is exactly why I am not certain, although I don’t know what it would be if it was not a bowstring. It is a rather unique sound,” Billa replied, emerald-green eyes wide in dismay, even as they were drawn yet again to the raven-haired Dwarf-Prince where he stood doubled over in laughter. Ori followed the hobbit-lass’ gaze and let a sly smile play upon her lips, she was sure Billa was unaware of how often her gaze drifted towards the youngest Prince. It was something Ori had noticed early on while the Company had been on the road.

“Well I certainly agree that is likely a Dwarrow from the sounds of things. But look on the bright side Billa. With there being only a limited number of Dwarven Archers, I would say you are already one step closer to finding them,” the Dwarrowdam said, patting the hobbit-lass on the hand comfortingly. Billa turned her eyes back to the redhaired Dwarrowdam at her side and smiled gratefully.

“Thank you, Ori. Maybe you are right, either way now is not the time to fret over it. I’m sure I will find them eventually. Now I noticed you were interested before when I spoke of the language of flowers did you want me to teach you?” the hobbit-lass said gathering herself again, giggling over Ori’s enthusiastic agreement. For the remainder of the afternoon Billa sat with Ori, teaching her all about different plants and flowers and their meanings.

That evening the Company was invited to the Hall of Fire for after dinner entertainment, and were treated to several songs, poems, and tales by several talented minstrels before they were invited to take part. Bofur had jumped at the chance and had immediately begun to sing earning much laughter from the Dwarrow and Billa; and to the hobbit-lass’ smug amusement several chuckles from the usually distant elves.

Of course, Billa should have known better but eventually the eyes of the hall turned to her.

“Would you sing for us Ivanniel?” Lindir asked sweetly. Billa stared the bard down for a moment before nodding in agreement.

“I don’t see why not, what would you prefer a ballad or a cheery tune?”

“A cheery tune lass!” one of the Dwarrow called out. Billa was fairly certain it had been Bofur. Nodding again in agreement, she stood up from her seat and brushed down her gown before walking to the centre of the Hall; a bit closer to the Fire Pits so that the room’s occupants could all see her and then she began to sing, clapping her hands along to the beat;

“As I came down through Long Cleeve Village
At the hour of twelve at night
Who should I see but the Tookish Lady
Washing her feet by candlelight
First she washed them, then she dried them
Over a fire of amber coal
In all my life I ne’er did see
A maid so sweet about the soul

Whack for the toora loora laddy
Whack for the toora loora lay
Whack for the toora loora laddy
Whack for the toora loora lay

As I came back through Long Cleeve Village,
At the hour of half past eight
Who should I spy but the Tookish Lady
Brushing her hair in the broad daylight
First she tossed it, then she brushed it
On her lap was a silver comb
In all my life I ne’er did see
A maid so fair since I did roam

Whack for the toora loora laddy
Whack for the toora loora lay
Whack for the toora loora laddy
Whack for the toora loora lay

As I went back through Long Cleeve Village
As the sun began to set
Who should I spy but the Tookish Lady
Catching a moth in a golden net
When she saw me, then she fled me
Lifting her petticoat over her knee
In all my life I ne’er did see
A maid so shy as the Tookish Lady

Whack for the toora loora laddy
Whack for the toora loora lay
Whack for the toora loora laddy
Whack for the toora loora lay
Whack for the toora loora laddy
Whack for the toora loora lay
Whack for the toora loora laddy
Whack for the toora loora lay.”

(edited from The Spanish Lady, Celtic Woman)

The Hall erupted into applause as the hobbit-lass concluded her song with a curtsey. Another elven minstrel took up after Billa singing of the tale of Luthien and Beren as she returned to her seat adjacent to the Company.

“Was that song written about one of your ancestors?” Ori asked when she sat down.

“Indeed, it was written about my great Grandmother who caught the eye of a travelling Dwarrow over one hundred and forty years ago.  Although there is still debate over whether or not he was the father of her child. As she did marry and her son – my Grandfather, Gerontius – did not appear much different to a normal faunt, aside from being taller than most, longer lived, and smaller of foot.”

“He never came back f’r her?” Bofur asked moving to sit beside Billa.

“No. It is said he went to Battle and never returned. She passed on shortly after her son came of age, as is often the case when one loses their Heart’s Home to something other than old age and there are faunts involved. My Grandfather was actually the one who said he was not my Great-Grandfather’s son by blood. Fortinbras Took the first was an older Hobbit well into his sixties when he married Orchid Took who was his younger cousin,” she answered.

“So, you have Dwarrow blood in ye lass?” the miner asked in surprise.

“Well if it is true that I do, it is dilute. Though it would certainly explain why my feet are small enough to fit into boots comfortably, and why the hair on my feet is so fine,” she said pulling her gown up slightly to show them her feet with a slight blush, continuing on with darkening cheeks “they are not what is considered very attractive in the Shire.”

“Well they look like perfectly fine feet to me,” Kíli commented, causing Billa’s face to flame red as she stuttered out a word of thanks. Ori giggled under her breath at the sight even as Kíli looked at the hobbit-lass curiously.

“Does anyone recall the name of the Dwarrow?” Bofur asked catching Billa’s attention again.

“Ah give me a moment, I remember my Mother telling me when she explained the song to me as a faunt,” she said even as her eyes grew distant for a moment, before she snapped her fingers with a triumphant smile, “ah yes, the song is often subtitled ‘The meeting of Orchid Took and Baldur Baraldurul’. I knew I knew it.” The sharp intake of breath from Bofur followed by a call in Khuzdul that saw his older brother and cousin rush to his side, caught Billa’s attention. “What’s wrong? Have I said something wrong?” she asked Ori as Bofur spoke in hurried Khuzdul to his kin.

“No, you haven’t. Just wait a moment Billa, it would be better for them to explain it,” the Dwarrowdam said.

After a few more minutes of conversing with his kin, Bofur turned back to her switching to common.

“Apologies Miss Billa, but Baldur son of Baraldur was our Uncle,” he said gesturing between himself, Bombur, and Bifur. Billa’s jaw dropped as she stared at them in shock. “He was our Fathers’ older brother who died at Azanulbizar.”

“Oh,” was all Billa could say, green eyes wide.

“To find out he may have had a child with your ancestress is more than we have ever known about him, he never stayed long with the family according to Bifur; he was often on the road as a travelling craftsman.”

“That aligns with what information I have about him. Many Hobbits would prefer to view Orchid as someone who died of the shame of almost having a child out of wedlock, but the Tooks have always been adamant that she died of Wilting,” Billa said after a few moments of digesting the news. The entire Company by this point had stopped listening to the songs being sung by the elven minstrels and were observing the Ur’s and the hobbit-lass.

“Is there any way we could find out whether or not her child was the son of Baldur?” Bombur asked in his quiet way. Billa considered the request a moment as she recalled the stories her Mother and Grandfather had told her of Orchid and Baldur, they had always been a bedtime favourite and now she was beginning to wonder why. After a moment it hit her.

“Oh, of course. Ori and Balin were just telling me today that the first stage of Dwarrow courting was the offering of courting beads. Orchid was well known for wearing her hair loose with a braid that she wore odd – by Hobbit standards – trinkets in. She gifted those beads to my Grandfather just before she died. My Mother even had my Grandfather show them to me once when we were in Tuckborough when I was a faunt; they were made of a beautiful red agate. I believe the beads are now in my Cousin Fortinbras’ care as Thain.”

“So, Fortinbras Took the first raised your Grandfather after Orchid died?” Ori asked for clarification.

“Yes. It is still debated of course, but it was my Grandfather who told me that he was the son of Baldur. Fortinbras Took the first needed an heir and married his cousin Orchid to spare her from being shamed for having a child out of wedlock. He then claimed and raised the child as his, and that was that. Or it was, until now,” she answered.

“So that would make you one eighths Dwarrow by blood,” Ori said

 A look of bewilderment crossed Billa’s face as she digested the Dwarrowdam’s words. “I mean. Of course I believed Grandfather, but I have never actually thought of it that way.”

“So tha’ makes ye kin,” Bofur said after a moment.

“First Cousins twice removed to be precise,” Billa answered distractedly as she came to terms with the fact she was a) part Dwarrow, and b) had even more family she didn’t know she had. She was so distracted she missed the Ur’s slipping back into Khuzdul to discuss something before turning to discuss something with Thorin. By the time she had shaken herself from her stupor, the Ur’s were once again beside her.

“If you wanted to lass, we would be honoured if you wore our family braid and beads. We actually have Uncle Baldur’s beads with us,” Bombur offered quietly. Billa’s emerald green eyes widened in shock as she looked from the Ur’s to Thorin who simply sent her a half-smile – she wasn’t sure he knew how to smile properly to be honest – and then back to her Dwarrow relations.

“It would be my honour Cousins,” she responded formally, earning a cheer from the Company that was so loud it disrupted the melancholic ballad that had been being sung much to the Elves surprise. Elrond and Gandalf both appeared beside the Company in interest even as a few of the Dwarrow apologised – much to Billa’s pleasure – for the disruption.

“What is going on here?” Gandalf asked with an amused smile.

“Oh, Grey One. You knew Grandfather as a lad, didn’t you?” Billa said

“That I did, why?”

“The song I sang was one of the few taken from ‘The Meeting of Orchid Took and Baldur Baruldurul’ and when I was explaining how Grandfather was the son of Baldur but raised as the son of Fortinbras Took the first, we’ve had a happy little discovery,” she explained.

“Oh? And what might that have been,” the Istar asked honestly surprised. He had known that Gerontius was what he had affectionately coined a Dwobbit, but to find out more about the Dwarrow who sired him was quite the surprise.

“He was the elder brother of Bombur, Bofur, and Bifur’s Fathers,” she answered.

“Ah, well that is a surprise,” Gandalf said.

“Congratulations on your discovery Ivanniel,” Lord Elrond said kindly.

“Thank you, Lord Elrond,” Billa replied with a sunny smile, “I must also apologise for causing such a disruption to the evening’s festivities.”

“Not at all my dear, think nothing of it,” the Elf-Lord said before taking his leave with a quiet farewell.

“I take it you have accepted being known as kin?” Gandalf asked the hobbit-lass.

“Indeed, I have, and I will have to send word back to Fortinbras to tell the family of the news,” she responded smiling at Bifur and Bombur, as Bofur had scurried off to get the beads.

“Well my congratulations as well my dear Bilbo, I suppose I was correct in saying that this adventure would change you,” he said sharing a knowing look with the hobbit-lass.

“Of course you were, Gandalf. Every time I step out my door I return changed in some way, if for the knowledge I have gained or the people I have met,” she replied with a sly grin before she shooed the laughing Wizard away before turning to the Company, “if you would prefer this to be a private event might I suggest we return to the Guest House?”

“You are quite right, that might be for the best,” Balin said before rounding up the Company and ushering them out of the Hall with Dori’s help. Thorin, meanwhile, went and said a few words of farewell to Lord Elrond before he joined Billa as she followed the Company out. It didn’t take long for the Company to bump into Bofur, who easily fell in with them as they headed back towards the Guest House.

Once they reached their suites, Thorin was the one to lead the Company out onto the secluded courtyard balcony where the Company went about sitting themselves on the scattered stone benches and upon the plush floor cushions. Bifur had gently caught Billa’s hand as she slowed – unsure of what she was to do – and pulled her along behind him to where his younger cousins had sat down leaving space between them for Bifur. Nori approached after a moment with a floor cushion for Billa to sit on, earning him a thankful smile from the hobbit-lass as Bifur took the cushion and set it in front of him once he had sat down. The hobbit-lass easily sank on to the cushion facing away from Bifur to allow him access to her unbound curls; as he was the head of the family he would be the one to braid the family braids into her hair.

Billa wasn’t sure who started humming as Bifur began to braid a section of hair just above the braid Nori had given her, but soon all the Dwarrow had taken up what sounded like a Hymn sung in Khuzdul. The song came to an end just as Bifur clasped the ends of the braid with a bead and clasp combo crafted from blackwood inlaid with copper. As Bifur dropped the braid to her shoulder the beads clacked against one another and against the copper bead clasp Nori had made her.

The older dwarf grumbled something in Khuzdul, half of which Billa could make out and half she could not so she was glad that Bofur translated it for her, “Bifur says ‘Welcome t’ the Family lass’.”

“Thank you, Bifur,” she responded.

“He also noticed ye have been claimed as akrâgbaraf, and would like to know who by,” Bofur said.

“I have,” Nori said approaching the four after the braiding had been done. Bifur studied the Thief who comfortably sprawled next to Billa on the cushion he had dragged with him. He rumbled a few words at the redhaired Dwarf who responded in common for the hobbit-lass’s benefit, “I have known her for twenty years and looked out for her for fifteen. Honouring her as my akrâgnana’ has been something I have considered for ten and planned to do for five.”

“You didn’t mention that,” Billa said bumping her shoulder against his.

“I didn’t think it was important mimzardûna,” he responded, turning marsh green eyes to Bifur as the older Dwarf rumbled something else.

“I may have claimed her first, but she is of your blood. If anything, I hoped that we would be able to share that right,” he said.

“Share what right?” Billa asked, although she had a feeling from what she had been able to work out from fragmentary Khuzdul it had to do with courting.

“Bifur was jus’ askin’ Nori here if as he claimed you as kin before we even knew of our relation, he was planning on solely dealin’ wit’ any suitors who may or may not ask t’ court ye,” Bofur offered.

“– and I don’t see why I would stop them when I certainly could use the help,” Nori responded slyly, teasing the hobbit-lass who as predicted blushed at the insinuation.

“What suitors Nori? I don’t see you having to beat them away with your mace,” she retorted, cheeks pink, “it’s not like I’ve had many courtship offers to begin with. I’m not exactly what you would call attractive.”

“Now who’s told ye tha’ lass,” Bofur asked with a frown, his kind brown eyes studying her closely.

“Try half the Shire,” Nori grumbled under his breath, catching the hatted Dwarf’s attention.

“Ye can’t be serious?” he said, looking between the hobbit-lass and the Thief. Billa’s cheeks darkened with a blush as she averted her gaze away from her male kin.

“It may have been said once or twice that the only thing truly attractive about me, is my estates and wealth,” she murmured, tying not to flinch at the sudden unanimous shout of outrage from Bifur, Bofur, and Nori. Bombur was wearing a frown but said nothing, although he did pat the hobbit-lass on the shoulder reassuringly.

“Who said that?” Nori demanded, “if it was those Mahal-damned Sackville-Bagginses…”

“Who else would it be?” Billa answered quietly, “Guido Proudfoot is perfectly happy with Angelica Bunce, they are getting married just after the Harvest Festival. Cousin Flambard is only really in love with himself but is married and has a tween son Adelard. Cousin Herugar is now married to Jessamine Boffin with a fauntling. Just because Otho married Lobelia last Spring once she had come of age, doesn’t mean he or his mother have forgotten about Bag-End. He only married Lobelia because Primrose Bracegirdle was very good friends with Aunt Camellia and Lobelia received quite the inheritance when her Mother died and will again if her Father passes.”

“Is this wha’ ye meant earlier about ye feet lass?” Bofur asked.

Billa nodded with averted gaze. “There are several things that factor in, although size of feet, and thickness of foot-hair are highly determinant of attractiveness among Hobbits.”

“What other factors mim-zê?” Bombur voiced softly. Billa was beginning to wish she hadn’t said anything, or that this conversation was at least happening somewhere else and not in front of the whole Company.

 Resisting the desire to run away, she looked down at her lap as she spoke. “Well aside from our feet, how rounded we are is usually the next thing considered; and one of the most important to Gentle-Hobbits. So, the fact that I eat only between three and four meals a day as opposed to seven means that I am considered even more unattractive than those who have no choice but to eat as such. I am too thin, if many didn’t know better they would say sickly,” she answered, “then there is the fact that I often wear men’s clothes, even when I’m not travelling. Not to mention my height, I am considered far too tall for a respectable Hobbit lass. Far too tall for a respectable Hobbit, what with being over four foot four. Then of course when it comes to assets, I am a bit too… ah… well-endowed for most Hobbits to find attractive. The list goes on.”

“Tha’s plenty ridiculous!” Bofur exclaimed, sliding down from the stone bench only to nudge Nori half off the Thief’s floor cushion so he could sit directly in front of the hobbit-lass and take her fidgeting hands in his calloused ones. Billa observed the Miner through her eyelashes as he continued to speak, “all what ye have jus’ said is exactly why us lot will be beatin’ suitors back once we reclaim Azsâlul'abad. Many would be well enamoured wit’ ye lass.”

“That’s of course not to mention those who have already tasted my mace,” Nori commented lightly although his eyes belied his satisfaction.

“What?” Billa and Bofur said in unison, brown and green eyes staring at the smug Thief.

“Bilbo. Half the Dwarrow lads back in Nartumunzahar wanted you for your ‘exotic’ looks. Of course, I stepped in when some got a mite too close to dishonouring you,” the redhaired Dwarf said, “and they would’ve. Half just wanted to have a quick tumble, while the other half wanted to possess you like some sort of exotic trophy.” Bifur grumbled something gruffly, patting the Thief on the shoulder in what looked like gratitude.

“Aye, we should be thankin’ ye Nori f’r keepin’ th’ creeps at bay,” Bofur added. Billa simply glanced between the three males before turning to look pleadingly at Ori who was sat beside Dori on the nearby bench.

“Is this normal Dwarrow overprotectiveness?” she asked the Dwarrowdam who let out a laugh and grinned at the hobbit-lass.

“It will only get worse Billa, just you wait,” the sweet-faced ‘dam said.

 “Ye stuck wit’ us lass, ye best get used to it now,” Bofur said patting her shoulder as he grinned.

“Yes, there is no escape from us now Bilbo,” Nori added teasingly.

“Mother help me,” she groaned burying her face in her hands as the Company laughed.

Chapter Text

"Khuzdul"

"Greenspeech"

"Sindarin"

The Company had been in Rivendell just over a week and Billa had taken to enjoying walks through the many gardens of the Last Homely House, when she wasn’t being forced into weapons training by Dwalin or answering Ori’s never-ending questions about Hobbits. She would spend time in the Library occasionally when she had a free moment, though it wasn’t only the Dwarrow that were keeping her busy. Several of her elven friends and acquaintances also did their best to manage some of her time.

The copper-haired hobbit-lass found it rather strange in some respects, as while she was used to always being in high demand as Chennad this was a different kind of demand. Genuine popularity was a new feeling for her. Shaking her head, Billa continued down the garden path she was wandering down with a light chuckle. Her solitude was once again interrupted by a call of her name.

“Aunty Billa!”

A grin pulled at the hobbit-lass’ lips as she turned around just in time to meet the eager embrace of a dark-haired human boy. “Estel!” she cried back, joyously returning the ten-year-old’s embrace, “how are you dear?”

“I’m good Aunty Billa,” the boy said as he pulled away from the hobbit-lass.

Billa took note of the height difference between her and the dark-haired child. “Look at you!” she said with a proud smile as she studied the growing boy, “you’re taller than me now!”

“Mother says that I still have a way to go, apparently my Father was over six foot,” the child said excitedly.

The hobbit-lass laughed. “Yes, Estel. I believe you will continue to grow like a weed, you might even end up taller than the Twins,” she said indulgently, enjoying the excited grin that lit up the child’s face, “now what brings you out here? I thought you still had classes for the day?”

“Erestor has let me go for the day, and Mother said that you were wandering the gardens again,” Estel answered with a sunny smile, “I wanted to walk with you this time.”

“That’s very kind of you dear, why don’t you tell me what you’ve been up to since my last visit to the Valley?” she said, smiling gently as she took the boy’s hand in hers as they continued down the path. Billa listened avidly as the child of man regaled her with dutiful recounts of his lessons and training, and amusing tales of mischief. The two spent the greater part of the afternoon together, with Estel having begged for a story or two in return for his recounts which Billa had amusedly told. A quick check of her pocket-watch had the hobbit-lass sigh.

“Well it’s time for me to return to my suites. I am sure my Companions are wondering where I am,” she said, smiling apologetically at the boy.

“That’s okay, I’ll walk you back to your Guest House Aunty,” Estel said with a determined look, Billa stifled a laugh at the adorable gesture of the child and simply accepted.

“Thank you dear, how very gentlemanly of you,” she said, allowing the boy to lead the way back to the Guest House her suites were located in. After several minutes they reached the Guest House, and Billa was surprised to find Kíli sat upon the steps as if waiting for something. The dark-haired Dwarrow looked up on their approach and smiled at them, getting to his feet with a fluid grace.

“Ah Billa, I was wondering when you would return from your walk,” he called out to her with a cheeky grin, “and I see you’ve brought a friend.”

The hobbit-lass chuckled lightly. “More like Estel here brought me,” she answered as they reached the stairs, “he wanted to walk me back.”

The dark-haired Prince-in-Exile studied the lad a moment before grinning at him. “My thanks young Master for returning our wayward Hobbit-lass.”

“You’re welcome Mister Dwarf,” Estel giggled.

“I’ll be sure to tell your Mother just how grown up you’ve become Estel. Thank you for walking me back,” Billa said kissing the boy’s cheek, “you should run along now, no doubt she will be looking for you.”

“It is nearly time for Dinner,” the boy agreed.

“That it is, off you go then. Say hello to Gilraen for me, and tell her I will see her soon,” the hobbit-lass said shooing the boy off, smiling warmly at his giggles.

“Okay. Bye Aunty Billa,” he said waving, before he shot off towards the Main House. She was joined at the bottom of the stairs by Kíli just as the boy was out of sight.

“Now who was that young lad,” he asked curiously.

“He is Lord Elrond’s foster son. His name is Estel, although it is not his true name. He is one of the Dúnedian, his Father was killed in an Orc attack on their village when he was but a babe so his Mother – Gilraen – sought sanctuary here in Imladris,” she answered, a sorrowful look crossing her face.

Kíli tilted his head to study her slightly. “True name?”

“Mm yes,” she sighed, “Estel’s name is really Aragorn, son of Arathorn, Isildur’s Heir. However, it was both Gilraen and Elrond’s wish that Estel be raised in peace and safety and so he was given a new name to protect him.”

“He is of the line of Isildur?” Kíli breathed.

“And Anarion. The lines converged in 1940 of the Third Age with the union of Arvedui, King of the Arthedain, and Fíriel of the line of Anarion, daughter of King Ondoher of Gondor. He is the True Heir of Elendil, and as such the Thrones of Gondor and Arnor.”

Kíli was stunned silent for several beats. “I now understand why he needs to be protected.”

“There are many who would seek to hurt him,” Billa agreed, “either by killing him or using him for their own means. I fear he will have a very difficult road ahead of him when he finally comes of age.”

“You are very fond of him,” the dark-haired Dwarrow observed.

Billa smiled, meeting the dark brown eyes of the Dwarrow. “That I am. I have known him since he was small, and I care for him very much.”

“I see now why he calls you Aunt, if he has known you his entire life,” Kíli said after a moment.

“I suppose so. He always has, I imagine it was at the encouragement of GIlraen, and Elrond,” the hobbit-lass said with an amused tilt of her lips. Glancing at the Dwarrow beside her out of the corner of eye, she asked, “so what brings you out here? You looked like you were waiting for something.”

Her eye’s widened curiously as Kíli’s cheeks flushed pink beneath his barely-there beard. “Ah, about that…” he began trailing off slightly.  Clearing his throat, he continued, “well since we’ve been here, I - we’ve barely seen you,” he said averting his eyes slightly.

“I’m sorry for that,” Billa said, choosing to ignore the dark-haired Dwarrow’s correction. “I will admit that I am rather surprised by how popular I seem to be this time. I am not used to it.”

“I suppose if you usually travel alone, that it wouldn’t seem the same as you would not have companions seeking your company as well,” Kíli commented accepting the apology with a crooked smile.

“Perhaps that’s it,” she agreed with a half-smile, “was there something you needed me for?”

Kíli’s cheeks pinked again as he answered sheepishly, “not as such, I just wanted to make the most of our respite and get to know our Burglar better, and perhaps – if you were amiable – see about seeking a new bow for you?”

“A new bow?” she queried turning to face the sheepish young Dwarrow.

“Aye. I was hoping we might be able to maybe have a little competition or two,” he answered.

Billa let out a delighted laugh, smiling at Kíli warmly. “I think that could be arranged,” she responded amused.

“Really?”

“I don’t see why not, Elladan and Elrohir will be able to help us seek out a new bow for me,” she said, “and likely would be happy to join in on our competitions if you’d like.” Kíli grinned widely at her response, and Billa turned her head to hide the blush that had spread across her cheeks at the sight. She was beginning to become rather suspicious of just how often that occurred.  “As for getting to know me better, you are more than welcome to join me at any time,” she said demurely.

“I’ll remember that,” he responded, a grin still pulling at his lips and dark chocolate eyes gleaming.

Billa’s cheeks heated further and she ducked her head slightly to hide behind her curls, coughing to clear her throat she spoke, “well I guess we should go find the others, as Estel said earlier; it’s time for Dinner.”

Kíli chuckled lowly. “That it is, shall we go?” he asked offering an arm to the flustered hobbit-lass.

“Ah, of course. Thank you,” she said, gingerly taking the proffered arm and fighting the blush that coloured her cheeks. Kíli badly stifled another chuckle with a cough, as he smirked. “Oh, shut up,” she reprimanded embarrassed.

“Sorry, sorry,” Kíli said, laughing, “it’s not often I get to see you flustered.”

“I should hope not,” she retorted “it’s unbecoming of a Baggins.”

“Well Miss Baggins, I’m afraid you’ll have to take the time to explain just why that is,” the young Prince-in-Exile said cheekily, surprising a laugh out of the hobbit-lass as the two entered the Guest House to join their companions for the evening.

In the days leading up to Midsummer’s Eve, Billa found that for several hours each day she was in the company of the youngest Dwarrow Prince-in-Exile. It seemed he had taken up her offer and often joined her on her walks or in the Library when he wasn’t whisking her off for archery competitions with her new bow – eagerly supplied by the Elvish Terrors, who at times also joined them.

In that time, Billa had in turn gotten to know the young Dwarrow archer better. From learning that both he and Fíli were taught to cook from a young age and that he was the better cook, to why he took up the bow, to more menial topics such as favourite foods, colours, and such. In return Billa had spoken when asked about her childhood in the Shire, and about her time working alongside her mother. She answered questions pertaining to her own favourite things from food to flowers to gems and told stories about her cousins. It had surprised Billa to find out that the two of them shared more than a talent in archery in common, with several shared interests coming out in conversation; namely their shared enjoyment of music, and their shared dislike for being idle – although while Billa turned to books or needlework, Kíli turned to mischief.

As it was, on the day before Midsummer’s Eve Billa found she was not at all surprised to find Kíli awaiting her in one of her favourite gardens – a beautifully tended clearing of wild flowers adjacent to one of the many waterfalls of the Valley.

“Billa!” he called in greeting, a happy grin upon his face.

“I should’ve known you would be here,” she called back as she entered the clearing adorned in an elven tunic and trouser set, with copper curls loose and cascading down her back and over her shoulders.

“Since you showed it to me I have found myself returning every so often,” he answered sheepishly from where he was sat at the base of one of the large oak trees close to the edge of the cliff.

Shaking her head with an amused half-smile, the hobbit-lass wandered over and sat herself opposite him, a few feet away among the wildflowers. “It’s rare to see you idle. What is it that has you out here alone and not causing mischief with your brother?”

“I’m hardly idle Billa,” he said, raising the book in his hand, “I’m working on my Craft the only way being on the road allows.”

“Your Craft? You are sketching and planning out jewellery pieces?” she asked.

“I am. Gudni – Gloin’s wife – has done an incredible job teaching me to be a jeweller with our limited access to precious and semi-precious metals and gems. Once we restore Erebor everything will be different of course. I’ll actually get more chance to practice for starters,” he answered with a crooked grin.

“I can imagine that would be mighty helpful,” Billa responded with an amused smirk as she began to gather some of the flowers from around her in her lap; white and yellow Haradrin Daisies* (* African Daisies), Baby Blue Eyes, Cornflowers, Dog Violets, Foxgloves, and Primroses.

“That it will be. Gudni says with some proper practice I will likely be able to complete my Master Piece within a year or two. I would be one of the youngest Dwarrow of the Sigintarâg in five hundred years to complete my Mastery before I am eighty!”

Billa smiled at the obvious excitement that the young Dwarrow was exhibiting as she set to weaving the stems of the flowers together into a crown, her green eyes focused on the Dwarrow before her.  “That would be an amazing achievement,” she said genuinely, “one I can only see you being successful in accomplishing.”

“You really think so?” he asked.

“I do. You have an incredible energy Kíli. One of which, when you set your mind on something, is the driving force of your ambitions. I can only see you succeeding in your goals, once your heart is set,” she answered sincerely with a gentle smile.

“Thank you Billa,” he said with a delighted smile. A comfortable silence fell over the two of them as Kíli went back to his sketching and Billa settled into her task of crafting flower crowns. A while later, the dark-haired Dwarrow glanced up from his Craftbook to study the hobbit-lass sat before him. Billa had taken to humming quietly to herself as her fingers nimbly weaved the flowers together, the midday sun setting her copper curls aflame, and turning her milky complexion radiant.

After several minutes of watching Billa weave the flowers into a crown, Kíli broke the silence to ask, “do you suppose being one eighth Dwarrow you might have a Craft?”

“What?” Billa asked stunned, the question having caught her completely off guard.

“Well it was just a thought,” the Prince-in-Exile answered bashfully, “I mean you are very talented at cooking, not to mention the needlework you have demonstrated over the journey so far. I was just wondering if you might find you have a craft.”

Billa paused for a moment and considered the question. “I could not say Kíli,” she answered after several beats, “I wouldn’t have a clue where to begin. I have never been particularly drawn to anything, many of my talents have been learned out of sheer necessity rather than desire.”

“But that does not necessarily mean you don’t have one,” he said.

“That is true enough, I suppose,” she agreed.

“Perhaps that is something we could discover over the course of our quest?” he suggested.

Billa smiled at the dark-haired Dwarrow. “Perhaps so,” she responded. Glancing down at her now finished flower crown, she stood up and sat down closer to the tree – and the Dwarrow sitting underneath it - and offered the adornment to Kíli. “What do you think?”

Kíli affected a faux-serious expression and theatrically examined the piece humming and ‘ahhing’ over it, eliciting giggles from the copper-haired lass. “The Craftsmanship is simply superb! The joins are invisible, and look at the choice of colour! Splendid!” he said dramatically before stating sincerely, “truly fit for royalty.”

“Then perhaps his highness would like to model it?” she asked with a giggle turn full belly laugh when Kíli did just that. Obnoxious poses, pompous expressions, and all.

“How do I look?” he asked in an exaggerated snobbish tone.

“Simply marvellous, your Highness,” Billa responded through her laughter. It didn’t take much for Kíli to lose his composure and joined her, their combined laughter ringing through the clearing. Once they caught their breath Billa considered what she knew of Dwarrow. “Out of curiousity regarding the previous subject, do you think I may also have inherited other Dwarvish traits?” she asked after a moment.

Kíli turned to look at her in interest, the flower crown still perched atop his dark hair. “Like what?”

“Well the ênâd'ebnel for example,” she offered.

“You know about ênâd'ebnel?” he asked in surprise.

“Kíli I’ve spent half my life among Dwarrow, it would be odd if I didn’t know somethings,” she answered with an amused smile.

“I suppose that’s true,” he conceded, “it could also be possible. I mean have you ever felt drawn to a specific gemstone?”

Billa took a moment to consider the question. “Well maybe? I mean I remember when I was only very small, Father had a beautiful jewellery set commissioned for Mother. Black Onyx and silver. Father had bought the gems from New Belegost and I believe commissioned the jewellery from New Nogrod. When I first saw it, I stole one of the earrings and wouldn’t give it back. Eventually Mother finally managed to take it off me and I cried for hours, I was inconsolable.”

“That certainly sounds like the discovery of an ênâd'ebnel,” Kíli responded, “so Black Onyx?”

“Yes, I suppose so,” she said, “between Black Onyx and Emeralds I rarely wear anything else.”

Kíli studied Billa for several beats, dark brown eyes analysing. “I think you could pull of both Sapphires and Rubies if you wanted to.”

“Sapphires? I already wear one of the Royal gems, you would have me wear both?” she laughed.

“Why not? I think you would look good wearing them. Your colouring suits both gold and silver too,” Kíli commented with a smirk.

“Are you using me as inspiration for your jewellery practice?” she queried with eyes narrowed playfully.

Kíli’s eyes widened theatrically. “What a fantastic idea!” he exclaimed, pulling another laugh from Billa.

“Kíli,” she chided playfully.

“What? You were the one to say it,” he said.

“Shouldn’t your Mother or your One be your inspiration?”

“Probably,” he agreed, “but seeing as Amad isn’t here and I have yet to find my One, no one would berate me for using a close friend as my muse.”

Billa blushed, cheeks turning a rosy pink. “Well if you say so,” she conceded.

“I do.”

Before Kíli could tease Billa about her blush, Ori, Nori, and Bofur trooped into the clearing. “Oi. So, this is where ye two have been. Thorin and Gandalf have called a meetin’ of th’ Company,” Bofur called over with a waggle of his eyebrows beneath his odd leather and wool hat.

“A meeting?” Kíli asked, completely forgetting about the flower crown on his head.

“Yes, it is likely about preparation for leaving after the map is read,” Billa commented glancing at Nori who nodded in confirmation. “We will need to plan out our journey, as well as how we plan on leaving should the Elves try to stop us. Although I can only think of a few reasons why they might,” she said thoughtfully.

“Regardless, th’ meetin’ is in half ‘n hour so we should best get goin’,” Bofur stated.

Billa got to her feet gracefully before offering her hand to aid Kíli, once he was standing the sound of Ori giggling drew the hobbit-lass’ eyes. “What is it Ori?”

“That is a rather lovely crown you have Kíli,” the Dwarrowdam commented in between giggles.

Kíli’s cheeks flushed pink at the reminder that he was still wearing the flower crown. “Ah… Billa made it,” he said by way of explanation.

“Did she? Do any of these flowers have meaning?” the ‘dam asked the hobbit-lass who considered the crown. Nori had immediately tensed up upon noticing the crown.

“Well the Haradrin Daisy is a symbol of ‘endurance’ due to how it survives in various conditions and can grow anywhere; Baby Blue Eyes mean ‘success everywhere’; Cornflowers denote ‘riches’, while Dog Violets generally mean ‘modesty’, ‘faithfulness’, or ‘simplicity’; the positive meaning of Foxgloves is ‘wish’. Primroses have several meanings from ‘I can’t live without you’ to ‘young love’, to ‘diffidence’,” she said, “although I didn’t really pay much attention to that when I made it.”

Ori appeared fascinated while Nori seemed to tense further. “Really? If you were to derive a meaning what would it mean?”

“I suppose it could be considered a wish for success, riches, simplicity, endurance, and love for the wearer,” Billa said after a moment’s thought, sending a strange look at Nori who had let out what was a sigh of relief.

“How lovely,” the ‘dam praised, ocean green eyes taking note of the deepening blush on the dark-haired Prince-in-Exile.

“What you are trying to say is often determined by the choice of flowers,” the hobbit-lass said, “for example; if it had been only a crown of Primroses, it would generally denote the meaning ‘I can’t live without you’. On the other hand, if it was a crown or bouquet of both Baby Blue Eyes, Foxgloves, and Cornflowers, one could derive the meaning ‘a wish for success in riches’.”

Nori seemed to relax even further. “Well as fascinating as this is, perhaps it’s time for us to go?” the Thief suggested.

“Good point Nori,” Billa said, “if you have any more questions Ori, I’d be happy to reconvene at a later time to answer them.”

“Thank you very much Billa.”

“Right, well, as lovely as the crown is, perhaps it would be better worn by a hobbit-lass?” Kíli commented gently removing the crown and offering it to Billa, who smiled as she accepted it back.

“I have a better idea,” she said, “we could leave it as a gift for the Mother and let it return to her sweet earth as a prayer for a successful venture. What do you think?”

“Is this a Zantulbasn thing?” Nori asked sceptically.

Billa laughed. “I suppose so, it is a version of worship that has long been deemed redundant by most though. During the Wandering Years, often Hobbits would gift bouquets, wreaths, or crowns for the Mother in hopes of receiving her blessing. It is a form of silent prayer, as it is a message conveyed by the language of flowers.”

“You said that the flowers you used could mean ‘a wish for success, riches, simplicity, endurance, and love’ is that what we would be asking for should you gift it to Kaminzabdûna?” Ori asked having already grabbed out her notebook and scribbling down the new information.

The hobbit-lass nodded with a smile. “Yes, that is generally how it works. It requires a very simple ceremony to bless the place in which you plan to leave the gift, and then you simply leave the offering say a short invocation and it’s done.”

“I don’t see why not then,” Kíli said after a moment, “it only takes a few minutes to get back to the Guest House anyway, and if we are a bit late we can simply use the excuse it took you a while to find us.”

Nori groaned but sighed. “Alright let’s get on with it then, what do you need?”

“I’ll need a few stones to create a circle – seven to be precise – then I just need to recite the blessing, then say the invocation of Yavanna and that’s it,” she explained.

“That’s simple enough,” Bofur commented already searching the clearing for stones, “do they need t’ be a certain size or shape lass?”

“No, Bofur. They all just need to be relatively close in size, exact isn’t necessary here.”

Within a few minutes the five of them had found seven suitable stones and Billa set about arranging the circle in a cleared area at the base of the Oak tree, invoking the blessing in the Green Tongue. “Seven stones here we place, to make sacred this earth we face. Seven stones here by mark, this ring altar of Nature’s Monarch. Beneath the sky, among the wind and rain, and upon the earth we build our sacred rings of stone. Giver of Fruits, Trees, and Grains, we beseech thee, bless this circle. By the All Father’s will you are our eternal Mother, and into your Gardens we return. Seven stones here we place, to make sacred this earth we face. Seven stones here by mark, this ring altar of Nature’s Monarch.”

Bofur, Ori, and Kíli found themselves awestruck by the lyrical yet rough language as Billa easily fell into it. Nori however was far more interested in the slight greenish glow that each stone took on as they each were placed. Once the circle was set, Billa glanced at the Dwarrow explaining the next step. “With the circle set and blessed, I am now going to use one of the simpler invocations asking for the Lady Yavanna’s blessing before placing the gift in the centre of the ring. If the offering is accepted the flower crown will disappear and the flowers of response shall bloom in its place.”

“And if it’s rejected?” Nori asked.

“It will simply wilt, let us hope that does not happen,” she said before turning back to the stones and invoking Yavanna as she placed the flower crown into the centre of the circle. “Lady Mother, we beseech thee to accept our gift of your sweet flora, woven with skill, and offered with willing and humble hearts. Eternal Mother, may you find us worthy to receive your blessings we humbly pray.”

The gathered group of Dwarrow and Hobbit-lass watched with bated breath as the green glow that had once been soft brightened. “She’s weighing the gift,” Billa informed them reverently, her green eyes glued to the circle. The glow of the stones continued to brighten until in a flash of light, the flower-crown had disappeared only to be replaced by a garden of Bell Flowers, Begonias, White and Pink Heather, Monkshood, Proteas, a Rose bush without any Roses, and Spirea.

“Kaminzabdûna accepted the gift!” Ori exclaimed delighted, scribbling in her notebook. Billa studied the flowers with a concerned frown.

“What does it mean?” Kíli asked quietly pulling her from her musings.

Billa glanced at him for a moment before answering. “Well Bell Flowers can mean gratitude, or they can be a warning. Begonia urge caution, Heather means good luck, Proteas; courage. Monkshood means ‘beware a dread foe is near’ while Rose leaves mean ‘you may hope’. Spirea stands for Victory.”

Kíli frowned slightly, before asking, “and how do you interpret Kaminzabdûna’s response?”

Billa studied the garden of plants the Valier had blessed them with once more. “She is grateful for the gift and is in turn cautioning us about the journey ahead. Still she wishes us luck, and despite the deadly foe she warns of, says that with courage there is still hope for victory,” she answered after a moment.

“Confirmation of what we already knew then,” Nori commented drily, when Billa turned to look at him she noticed the tension he held in his lithe frame.

“Perhaps,” she agreed but a small smile pulled at her lips when she considered the Proteas, Heather, and Rose Leaves. “But I think it is also enlightening, the Lady wishes us luck on our venture and believes we have a chance at victory. I have never heard of the Lady ever saying something she does not mean with her whole heart.” Billa smiled more fully when Nori looked at her, studying her with marsh-green eyes. She watched as the tension slowly bled from his shoulders, not entirely but enough to show he had taken heed of her words.

“This is fascinating, not even the Priests and Priestesses of Mahal can do such feats,” Ori stated still scribbling in her notebook completely oblivious to the tension that had overcome the other four. Billa laughed and glanced at Kíli who still looked slightly concerned.

“You sound like Kíli, he said something similar back with the Trolls,” she said, successfully breaking the tension.

Kíli blushed. “You were glowing. What else was I supposed to say?”

“I suppose you didn’t say something silly like think I was a fairy or something,” Billa agreed with a sly smile at Nori’s uncomfortable cough.

“I still don’t see why you had to tell her that Ori,” he complained.

Bofur laughed at Nori’s discomfort. “Mimzardûna suits ye actually,” he said with a gentle smile towards Billa who blushed slightly.

“I wouldn’t say I agree but thank you Bofur.”

“Now, before we get too carried away,” Nori inserted, interrupting Ori before she could assault Billa with questions, “we have a meeting to get to.”

“Almost forgot about that,” Kíli commented sheepishly, “Billa surprised us, I guess. But yes, we should get going.”

“She does that a lot,” Nori grumbled under his breath glancing behind him to study the still subtly glowing circle of Yavanna as the others began to make their way back to the Guest House. “It worries me.”

Since Billa had facilitated the meeting between Elrond and Thorin and their advisors, she was happy to note there had been a marked difference in the tensions between the Dwarrow and the Elves.  The revelation that at least regarding the Elves of Rivendell and Lothlorien, that help was offered and rebuked by their own King saw the wariness that the older Dwarrows had harboured dissintergrate to be replaced by a shy interest. Billa was incredibly smug when the only insults she heard murmured anymore were those of a teasing lighthearted nature from the Dwarrow. It was a different matter with some of the Elves. But she found herself not too concerned by it, as she knew it would take time before the feud would truly end. The first steps had been taken, all that was left to do was to wait and continue to foster friendly relations.

This difference of opinion had been rather notable during the meeting to plan out the next step of their journey. With several of the Dwarrow stating their disbelief that the Elves would stop them if the situation was properly addressed. Billa and Gandalf had shared amused looks over the topic before Billa had intervened.

“While what you say is most true Glóin, and Lord Elrond would likely support our venture it is not him that Gandalf, Thorin, Balin and I are worried about,” she said placatingly. “There are others in Middle Earth who would not agree with us and would seek to stop our progress here. Some of whom Lord Elrond would have no choice but to adhere to their ‘advice’ as it were.”

“Who could stop Lord Elrond?” Ori asked curiously, her fingers twitching in eagerness to get a pen in her hand. Billa looked at Gandalf pointedly, this concern was his, so he should be the one to express it.

Gandalf pulled a few more drags on his pipe in procrastination before answering. “There is the matter that Lord Elrond and I are members of the White Council, the protectors of Middle Earth. While the Lady Galadriel is unlikely to have a problem with our quest, I am afraid our leader and the head of my order Saruman the White might disagree.”

“But surely majority would rule out his opinion?” Bofur hedged.

Billa shook her head. “Saruman the White is the leader of the White Council Cousin, and it is he who holds the power to make decisions.”

“So, we must prepare an escape plan in the event that the White Wizard entertains the idea of detaining us,” Thorin finished.

“It is unlikely that Lord Elrond would actively pursue us, even if requested,” Billa commented, “so we won’t need to factor in liberating the ponies. They would only hinder us if we are to take the High Pass.”

“Indeed,” Balin admitted, “we will need to prepare ourselves for departure then. What are we going to do about supplies?”

Billa considered the question before letting her eyes settle on Kíli and a sly smile pulled at her lips. “Leave that to me, Kíli, and Fíli,” she said her green eyes sparkling with mischief. The Elven Terrors would likely enjoy her plan too, she mused.

After the last few details had been hammered out, Billa led the Princely Terrors in search of their Elvish counterparts. After recruiting Elladan and Elrohir, the five of them planned out a liberation of supplies. Within an hour of the meeting the five of them returned to the Guest House victorious, and with the Twins sworn to secrecy until after they’d left all was well underway.

An unexpected interruption came in the arrival of a messenger, a Ranger who was brought to the Guest House by Lindir where the Company had been lounging in the courtyard as they had taken to doing.

Upon spotting the Ranger, Billa slipped off the balustrade where she’d been sitting in surprise. “Calder?” she called out inquiringly.

The tall ragged man, with dark hair and equally dark eyes turned to her at the call, a barely-there smile forming on his sun-weathered face. “I suppose I shouldn’t be too surprised to see you here little Spider,” he greeted.

“No, you shouldn’t,” she responded amused, “but you on the otherhand willingly entering civilisation? Now that is surprising.”

The Ranger laughed lowly, before quietly thanking Lindir and entering the courtyard. “An understatement Bil, but it was at the request of Lady Dis that I personally bring her missives to you. Something about being able to trust me.”

Billa immediately narrowed her eyes slightly, before glancing over at Thorin. Thorin nodded before turning to speak with Balin.  “Well let’s not bore the Company with gossipy catch up letters,” she said lightly as she crossed the courtyard and took the Ranger by the arm, “come along Calder lets get you some food, you look like a twig.” Leading the man out of the courtyard, Billa did not speak until they were safely ensconced in her rooms.

Calder narrowed his eyes at her as soon as the doors were shut. “What is this about Billanna.”

“Ooh, you’re pulling out the full name, are you?” she asked amused, before conceding to his glare and answering, “the missives you carry are unexpected but also highly confidential Calder. Only a few members of the Company are aware of their true nature, and for the moment it needs to remain that way. So, while we wait for the others to join us, lets see about getting you some food. I wasn’t joking when I said you looked like a twig.” Bustling away from the door, Billa called upon one of the elven maids with the bell pull located next to her bed. A short time later a light knock sounded and Billa ordered Calder some food with the young elleth. Once the food had arrived and the elf maid dismissed, another more complex series of knocking came at the door. Calder raised an eyebrow at the knocking pattern even as Billa answered the door and ushered Nori, Balin, and Thorin into the room.

“Have you opened them yet?” Nori asked.

Billa rolled her eyes at the theif. “Of course not, Nori. That would have been impolite,” turning to Calder she held out her hand, “I assume there is more than one missive?”

“Yes, there are two addressed to you,” he said digging into his coat to fish out the leather file that protected the missives, before handing them out to their recipients. “One addressed to his Majesty, and another addressed to Nori. Nice to see you by the way.”

Nori accepted his missive from the man with a smirk. “Same to you as well Calder.”

Billa rolled her eyes as she cracked the seal on the first missive, that indicated it was from Dis. Letting her green eyes filter across the parchment, a frown pulled at her lips as she read.

Dearest Billa,

You are right. I am not surprised to find you somehow caught up in Thorin’s quest. As for the matter regarding keeping the assassinations from you, Nori and I were concerned about the bounty that was to be placed on your head. Please believe us that once the matter had been looked into, we did plan to tell you.

I followed up on your advice and had the little birds keep their ears out for whispers about the mine collapse, after I initiated an official investigation into the matter. You were right, it wasn’t an accident. Some one had deliberately set charges into the structurally unsound sections of the mine. So, when the miners used their low-grade demolition charges it set off the chain of higher-powered charges causing the mine to collapse. I have a trusted mining technician studying what is left of the other charges to see if we can identify who crafted them, or at least find out where the materials originated.

Your little birds have been incredibly useful during this investigation and word has reached them of a new player in the Underground. At the moment many refer to him as the Binakhrâm'khî – the Nameless One. He has been known to keep his identity hidden during all face-to-face encounters and it is likely that he is linked to the mine collapse. It is difficult to find any information on Binakhrâm'khî. It’s as if he doesn’t exist.

On the matter regarding a new sponsor appearing. You were again right. Lord Návur son of Nádur – a Firebeard Lord has moved into Nartumunzahar. He and his mother have entered the court of Thorinuldûm and have become incredibly well known for their philanthropic exploits. Návur says he’s come down from Nargabilgathol in search of a wife and as far as your older birds have been able to discover it’s true. I don’t trust him though. He is of a similar age to what Frerin would have been, and he is only now looking? While not all Dwarrow, especially not courtiers, wait to find their One. It seems odd that he is only now searching for a wife. It unnerves me to say this, but it is not an endeavour that I would imagine he would struggle with. He is incredibly attractive, and already several of my ladies in waiting are eager to catch his eye. The matter is concerning but it will do no good to appear suspiscious of him simply based on what looks like simple coincidence. I have my eyes and ears on him though. I will send further information if anything changes.

Thank you for looking out for my boys. The second letter addressed to you is for them, could you please make sure it gets to them?

Take care of yourself Billa, and I pray to Mahal and his Lady that your journey is successful.

With Love and Affection, your friend,

Dís, daughter of Arndís.

P.S As for the matter of the orphanages, all has been arranged. Gratitude must also be offered in regard to the extra resources you sent, we would be struggling if not for your forethought and genourous heart dear. Hopefully you haven’t killed Thorin yet for his obstinacy, but I am hopeful that you will succeed in curing him off his stone-headedness. It is not a good look for a King, look at what happened to our Grandfather. Please do try and send word whenever you can dear, even though I am busy with ruling Nartumunzahar I worry about you and your Companions.

Best of Luck and Mahal’s Blessings be with you Billanna Baggins. You are truly are the jewel of all jewels my dearest friend.

“What did Dís have to say?” Nori asked quietly having already read over his much shorter letter.

“She confirmed several suspiscions I had. The mine collapse was no accident, it was sabotage and there has been a new philanthropist appear at court,” she answered lowly, “there is also word of a new player in the Underground.”

“Yes, Vestri sent me a more detailed letter about the Binakhrâm’khî. Vigg has apparently been investigating what and who they have been associating with, from the list the two sent it is incredibly concerning if this person is associated with the the mine collapse. They have some incredibly dangerous associates,” he responded, showing Billa the letter.

Reading over the list, Billa’s eyes widened. “Connections to Moria?” she whispered alarmed.

Nori nodded grimly. “We may have determined who leaked the information, but the question remains who they are, and how they got it.”

“It seems you were correct Miss Baggins,” Thorin spoke up having read through is equally long letter. “It was not a member from the company. Is there anything more you can tell me about this Binakhrâm’khî?”

Billa and Nori shared a worried look, but the hobbit made the decision.  “Only that he has connections to some very dangerous individuals, Thorin. Some of which may explain what happened in Bree and the Orc Pack.”

Thorin’s face grew dark as he glowered. He began pacing. “Why didn’t we know about this person before?” he demanded.

“You must remember Thorin, that Dwalin and the Guards were investigating the assassination attempts,” Balin said reasonably, “they were doing all they could, but they were constantly meeting dead ends.”

“It isn’t hard to understand why,” Nori commented drily. “The Underground is known to have insiders in the Guards. I wouldn’t hazard to guess how many.”

 “Not helping Nori,” Billa sighed as Thorin began cursing in Khuzdul.

“I could give a short list of a few I know about, but I wouldn’t expect it to be all of them,” the Thief said after a moment’s thought.

“You can give it to Dwalin, as the Head of the Guard he will find it most useful,” Balin said.

“Why must this begin to surface so close to our opportunity to reclaim our homeland?” Thorin raged. Billa glanced at the silent Calder, she had almost forgotten he was there.

“Ah. I now understand the secrecy,” he murmured to her.

“Yes. I would recommend you keep quiet about it,” Billa responded to him, before speaking louder for Thorin. “Perhaps it would be best for us to consider our missives and put together some responses for Calder to deliver. I have a letter here for the lads from Dís, which I need to pass on and I believe you should inform Dwalin about what has happened.”

Thorin nodded in agreement sending a cautious look towards Calder. The Ranger having picked up on it reassured the King-in-Exile. “Upon my honour as one of the Dúnedain I will reveal nothing of what I have heard to any but those in this room or to the Lady Dís. I understand that the matter requires such secrecy.”

“To your word I will hold you, Ranger,” the King-in-Exile said solemnly, “be it known that it’s only by Miss Baggins’ faith in you that I am allowing this.”

Calder glanced at Billa. “She has that effect on people,” the Ranger mused drily.

“Right, well we all have things to do,” Billa said, “Calder you should go and get some rest once you’ve finished eating.”

“You aren’t wrong,” he said in agreement.

“Well I think it’s best we all adjourn for the moment then,” the hobbit-lass said. The Dwarrow and Ranger agreed, and they group dispersed with Nori joining Billa as she went in search of the lads. “Good. When we are ready, I will come find you with our collective missives,” she said after a quick glance at Thorin who nodded. “Now I need to find the lads, I will see you all later.” Turning to leave her room Billa placed her letter deep in her pocket.

“I’ll come with you,” Nori said falling in step with her. Nodding in consent, the two left the room and went in search of the two youngest Dwarrow.

“What do you make of all of this?” Nori asked, choosing to speak in the Hobbit’s mothertongue.

 Billa glanced at Nori as they walked. “To be honest, I am not yet sure. Dís confirming my suspicions about the mine collapse makes me more uncertain. Am I making it up or is there a connection between the mine collapse and the assassination attempts? If so what and why?” she said.

Nori’s marsh green eye’s narrowed. “I don’t think you’re wrong. I think you may very well be on to something. But we don’t have enough information. Your wariness about any new faces in Nartumunzahar is not entirely silly either, whoever it was that was going to put a bounty on you certainly had coin, and a lot of it.”

“You may have a point there,” she conceded thoughtfully. “Eventually you will have to tell me what you know about the bounty, and how you kept it from me. If it is indeed connected, its curious that a bounty would be placed on a Hobbit. No matter how close to the Line of Durin she may be associated. I am an ambassador, I didn’t solely work with Dis. I often associated with several members of Thorin’s Government and Council, sometimes even the occasional Guildmaster.”

“As you say, but perhaps now is not the time for that,” he suggested, gesturing slightly to indicate the doorway to the courtyard. Billa agreed with a sharp nod, and the two fell silent as they left the Guest House for the courtyard. It didn’t take them long to find the lads and Billa handed over the letter from their mother with a warm smile and a few words.

“Just come find me when you have finished your reply, and I will send it along with mine,” she said earning smiles of gratitude from the two Dwarrow-Princes before she left, indicating to Nori to stay with his siblings for the time being. Billa had something she wanted to research, and she wasn’t quite up to asking anyone and raising unnecessary suspiscions.

Billa left the library the next day no closer to finding a direct answer to her queries. She should have known it was impossible to narrow down known enemies of the Line of Durin, even with the extensive nature of the Imladris Library. Frowning, and slightly cranky from the lack of sleep Billa returned to the Guest House. After bathing and dressing in fresh tunic and trousers, she felt marginally better and settled down to write a reply to Dís.

She was fairly brief in her report of the journey thus far but was sure to include the discovery that someone knew the Company was on the road. Billa also made sure to pass on her suspiscions regarding the apparent coincidence between the Orc pack pursuing them and the messenger Nori had dealt with in Bree. It was not certain that the Binakhrâm’khî did have anything to do with it, but with the little birds having discovered the connections to Moria, it was certainly suspicious. All in all, she kept her missive relatively short focusing primarily on need-to-know information. Although she did make mention of her success in allieviating some of the tensions between the Line of Durin and Imladris.

Once she had read over her letter, she secured it with wax and her seal – a locket that had been given to her mother as Chennad by Dís and now, belonged to her – before she left her room with it in search of the Dwarrow. She been forced to wave away the concerns of the Company after disappearing the day before and had brusqley moved onto other matters, retrieving the lads' letter to their mother and after speaking to Balin and Thorin taking their missives too. Nori joined her when she went to find Calder, probably hoping that she would be more forthcoming if they were alone.

“Oh. Do stop it, Nori,” she snapped waspishly, irritated by his pestering. “I am not going to tell you what I was doing.”

Nori frowned. “It has to do with what we spoke about yesterday.”

“Whether it does or does not is not the problem,” she retorted glaring at him slightly. “I am not ready to share and until I am, I will not be saying anymore on the matter. Let it lie Nori.”

Marsh-green eyes narrowed on Billa, but the Thief adhered to her wishes and the two went on in silence. After several long minutes Nori spoke again. “You should know better than to stay up all night reading mimzardûna. You resemble a cranky old hag when you don’t sleep.”

Billa sighed, chuckling wryly. “I know. I apologise for snapping.”

“I’m somewhat used to it,” Nori shrugged smirking. “I recall a fair number of instances where you have done so when sleep was lacking.”

She laughed now. “I suppose that is true,” she conceded. The charged tension that had hung over her head dissipating in the familiar camaraderie Nori showed. They found Calder not long after and following a short conversationg and the exchanging of the missives, Billa farewelled her old mentor and saw him off. He had never been one to stay in the one place, nor leave his duty unseen to for long so she was unsurprised by the sharp turnover.

As the two returned to the Company’s Guest House, Billa determined that it was probably best that she pack her bags before the Midsummer’s Eve Feast that evening. If the map reading went by without any issue then the Company could leave at their leisure. But considering the journey thus far, Billa wasn’t going to gamble on that chance. So, after telling Nori her plans she went and did just that.

To begin, Billa emptied her travels packs out completely; removing everything from the many pockets. She then went about inspecting everything from her clothes, to bedroll and blanket for any rips or tears. After taking the time to mend what she could she deemed everything to be in suitable travelling condition, bar for a few things Billa figured she would need to re-mend on the road. She was suddenly very grateful for bringing her sewing needles and a few spools of thread at the last minute. After a full inspection, Billa began to repack. This time being a bit choiceir in her decisions than she had been in the Shire.

She only packed one set of travel clothes, deciding to wear the other and leave her spares in Imladris. Her waxcloth wrapped soaps were packed in next, along with her oilskin wrapped maps, and other documents of importance. After restocking her healing kit, it too went into her pack. Followed shortly by tinderbox, whetstone and her folded blanket. She tied her empty waterskin to the side of her pack before attaching her bedroll. She then gathered up her loose odds and ends; her father’s pocketwatch, her mother’s locket, her weapons (both swords, her dagger, hunting knife, her thirteen throwing daggers, her new both and quiver), her wolf-fur lined coat, leather jerkin, boots and travelling cloak.

After a final search of the room, Billa deemed herself ready and after a quick check of the time she determined it time to begin readying herself for the feast. It had apparently taken her several hours to mend and sort out her belongings, but she supposed she wasn’t very surprised. Gathering up a robe and a towel she headed for the Baths. Twice in one day was perhaps a bit excessive, but as it would be the last chance to bathe for some time Billa reasoned it to be perfectly acceptable.

The hobbit-lass took her time in the Baths, luxuriating in the hot water and devotedly tending to her red-gold curls with nourishing oils scented with mint. After scenting a few of the body lotions, she chose one that smelled of cedar and vanilla and after – regretfully – getting out of the water and drying off slightly she massaged the lotion into her skin. This time when she left the Baths, Billa felt far more rejuvenated, the pamper sessions she had allowed herself boosting her mood. Upon returning to her rooms, she almost had a heartattack when she entered to see Elladan and Elrohir along with a trio of elleth maids.

“Sweet Yavanna,” she cursed aloud as she jumped. She hadn’t been expecting anyone, and while she was robed, she didn’t feel appropriately dressed for company. “What are you two doing here?” she demanded, blushing furiously.

Elladan sent her an apologetic look. “We didn’t mean to startle you Ivanniel, we were simply waiting to pass on Ada’s request.”

“What does your Father want?” she asked, having calmed down. However, glancing at the three elleth maids, she figured she could hazard a guess.

“Ada would like for you to be properly attired for this evening’s feast,” Elrohir explained.

Billa sighed. She had guessed as much. “Your Father is well aware I am fully capable of dressing alone, is he not?” she retorted with only mild exasperation. “Fine. I won’t argue, I’m sure the ladies have already been briefed anyway. I would hate to disrupt them more than necessary.”

Elladan and Elrohir grinned before excusing themselves politely. Billa resigned herself to the maids’ instruction and allowed them to dress her for the Midsummer’s Eve Feast. One was in charge of dressing her while another tended to her hair, arranging it artfully in a loose textured braid leaving her familial and akrâgbaraf braids free. The last elleth once she’d been seated at the vanity instructed her to shut her eyes and began to painstakingly paint her face; it had always fascinated her that elves had adapted to the Mannish customs of makeup despite there being no need for it. She supposed however, when she studied their finished work in the mirror, she could appreciate their skills. Billa could hardly believe the hobbit-lass reflected back was her.

Her reflection showed her to be gowned in a rich green dress with golden floral embroidery along the hems and collar, her mother’s locket hanging between her breasts. Loose tendrils of hair framed her face while the bulk of the artfully textured braid hung down her back leaving her familial and akrâgbaraf braids to fall over her shoulder, the beads catching in the candlelight. Her face had been painted – lightly – she noted, with only her cheeks bearing colour while her eyes and lashes had been lined. The elleth had managed to hide the dark circles that showed her recently sleepless night without issue. If she hadn’t known better, Billa would have thought magic had been involved. She thanked each maid individually before she then left to head for the Dining Hall.

Upon reaching the Feasting Hall and being announced by the grinning Melpomaen – who had taken over his role as Steward upon his return, although Lindir still tended to the Dwarrow – Billa suddenly felt the need to hit something. With every eye in the Hall on her as she descended the stairs she felt very – very – uncomfortable. Elladan and Elrohir unabashedly hi-fived and grinned from the High Table, where Elrond sat appearing smug not far from them. Gandalf had a sympathetic smile for her, but his blue eyes twinkled with badly concealed mirth. Thorin met her gaze stunned but offered an approving smile. Billa appreciated the thought behind it right up until he turned his head to speak to his nephews, and Kíli stood from his seat with a word to make his way across the hall at an elegant but hurried pace. Billa bit the inside of her lip to avoid glaring at the now grinning King-in-Exile as Kíli approached her. She withheld a sigh of gratitude when the Hall began to fill with conversation again, the occupants satisfied with their ogling of the newcomer.

The dark-haired Dwarrow prince bowed to her from about five feet away. “May I escort you to your seat my lady?”

Smiling at Kíli she accepted his proffered hand. “It would be an honour, Your Highness,” she responded, stepping up to his side and falling in step with him. “I would be most grateful to have a distraction from just how much I want to yell at certain individuals.”

Kíli chuckled openly as they made their way to the High Table. “I would be pleased to offer you assistance my lady,” he responded with a cheeky grin. Billa was only a little surprised to find that she was seated next to the younger Prince-in-Exile and had to wonder if that was due to her fashionably late status or deliberate planning. The hobbit-lass found she greatly enjoyed the feast and refused to deliberate more on just why the wine had tasted sweeter and her laughter had been rich and plentiful. She was skirting the issue she knew, but she was sure it was nothing important. Mayhaps a small crush on a good friend, stranger things had happened, but nothing more.

After the feast concluded and many of the guests had retired to the Hall of Fire, Billa joined Balin, Thorin and Gandalf in following Elrond through the twisting walkways and corridors of the Last Homely House. Finally, after several long minutes of walking Elrond led them to an open area carved into the side of a cliff with waterfalls crashing down all around them from the mountain above. Stood at the edge of the precipice below them, was a crystal podium; raw and seemingly cut straight from the earth. Elrond beelined for the podium map in hand, with Thorin and Gandalf right behind him. Billa remained at a slight distance with Balin, feeling slightly queasy – due to the wine she’d consumed or the nearness of a sheer cliff she was unsure.

“These runes were written on a Midsummer’s Eve by the light of a crescent moon nearly two hundred years ago,” Elrond began, reiterating what he had said that night two weeks ago. “It would seem you were meant to come to Rivendell. Fate is with you, Thorin Oakenshield; the same moon shines upon us tonight,” the Elf-Lord continued as the moon revealed itself from behind a scattering of cloud to shine down on the podium where the map was now spread out. Billa watched on as the rays of moonlight hit the crystalline table, which refracted the light and allowed it to flow through the map. Even at the distance she stood from the map she could still see the Ancient runes that became visible in the moonlight.

“Stand by the gray stone when the thrush knocks, and the setting sun with the last light of Durin’s Day will shine upon the keyhole,” Elrond translated, reading off the map.

“Durin’s Day?” she asked quietly looking to Balin.

“It is the dwarves’ new year, when the last moon of autumn and the first sun of winter appear in the sky together,” Gandalf explained instead turning to glance at the hobbit-lass.

“This is ill news. Summer is passing. Durin’s Day will soon be upon us,” Thorin spoke up looking thoughtful.

Elrond glanced at Thorin before shooting Gandalf a look. “So, this is you purpose, to enter the Mountain.”

“What of it?” Thorin responded neutrally.

“There are some who would not deem it wise,” Elrond warned handing back the map to Thorin, who accepted it and the warning with a surprisingly gracious nod.

“Who do you mean?” Gandalf inquired carefully.

“You are not the only guardian to stand watch over Middle-earth,” the Elf Lord responded turning to leave the balcony, Gandalf assumed a thoughtful expression before turning to gaze upon the valley. Billa had heard the unspoken warning – The White Council Will Interfere – which she knew was predominantly a warning regarding Saruman and not the rest of the Council. As he passed her, he raised an eyebrow at her inquiringly. She responded with a nod, she would be leaving with them. He nodded in reply shooting her a wink, she withheld a laugh at that. He’d known of their intention, she’d had no doubt, but he would not stop the Company from leaving. She smiled at him in gratitude even as he left the balcony.

“What was that about?” Thorin asked.

“He was asking if I would be leaving with you,” she answered.

“He knows?” Balin said surprised.

“Of course, Lord Elrond is well aware of everything that goes on in Imladris, but he will not stop us,” she answered reassuringly, before glancing between Gandalf and Thorin. “We will have to leave tonight, we must be well away from the Hidden Valley before Saruman gets here.”

“Yes, you will,” Gandalf agreed, “and I will stay to misdirect his attention.”

Thorin hummed thoughtfully before turning to Billa. “Please go and inform the others of what has happened and the need to leave. We will leave in two hours. I would like to go over a few things with Balin and Tharkûn.”

“As you wish,” she responded nodding in agreement before taking her leave.

Chapter Text

"Khuzdul"

"Greenspeech"

"Sindarin"

" Iglishmêk"

The Company was quick to rally at Thorin’s order and in less than two hours all members were packed and ready to go. Billa herself had dressed and armed herself in less than half an hour, having anticipated the need when she had decided to pack on the offchance that they were to leave immediately. She stood near her pack readjusting her jerkin so it was secure, when Thorin made the call to leave. Each member of the Company had split the stolen – with blessing – supplies Billa and the lads had retrieved for them the day before between their packs, spreading the load to ensure no one person was weighed down. The Company led by Balin and Thorin kept to the shadows as they left the Hidden Valley and by the time the sun rose to its peak height, they were a good ten miles away.

Satisfied they were far enough away the Company broke for a few hours rest in a thicket of trees out of sight. Nevertheless, they were on the road again as dusk began to stain the sky. Thorin pushed them all hard for the first few days, but Billa understood why. They had been given a deadline and each day that passed made their quest that little bit harder. In less than a week they reached the base of the Misty Mountains, having covered over fifty miles since leaving Imladris. It was here that Thorin allowed them to set up a semi-permanent camp, admitting that they would be staying there for a few days to allow Gandalf to catch up as per the original plan. Billa had her suspiscions however that should the Istar not turn up Thorin would press on with the quest. With or without the Grey Wizard.

The Company had set up camp in a fortified position adjacent to a copse of trees near the roots of one of the mountains. They had found a natural quarry and were protected from the wind and the light silvery drizzle of rain that had set in by the formation of the boulders and rocks that created a rough shelter. Billa was exhausted. During the last week she had been pushed to her absolute limit, but she had bit her tongue. She did not want to irritate Thorin in his current state, the desperation to reach Erebor in time to search for the Hidden Door had made him irritable. But there was nothing she or anyone else could do to alleviate his problems, though Dwalin and Balin were certainly trying.

Despite the fact it was still summer, the rain and the elevated height of their position had affected the temperature and Billa sat near the open entry to their shelter wrapped tightly in her cloak, blanket and fur-lined coat. It was the wind that rolled down the mountain that brought the chill with it, she mused. Green eyes staring up at the mountain from her seated position. She heard Bifur approach and sit down next to her, and she turned her head to smile at him. She caught sight of his fingers moving and raised her eyebrows at the Dwarrow.

‘When were you planning to tell the Company that you speak Khuzdul?’ he gestured.

‘How did you figure that out? And that I know Iglishmêk?’ she responded in kind, keeping her movements small and almost undetectable.

‘It wasn’t too difficult but then I am more observant than most; you do not seem surprised nor ask for translation when the others speak in Khuzdul. You also have always understood me when I speak. I have also seen you use Iglishmêk with Tharkûn.’

Billa chuckled. “I suppose I haven’t been hiding it that well,” she said to him quietly. “I don’t think now is the time to reveal such a thing however, I don’t think Thorin would appreciate it.”

“You are not wrong, naith-ê,” Bifur rumbled in response, his voice soft. “Now what is troubling you, you haven’t taken your eyes off the mountain since we arrived three days ago.”

“I fear we will be moving on without Gandalf, and that poses a problem for us,” she answered after a few moments of silence. “He knows the best ways through the High Pass, and how to traverse it safely. Without him, I fear that we will find ourselves in great danger.”

Bifur frowned. “Your fears are not unreasonable, mim- zê,” he said. “The mountains sing hollowly, I would not be surprised if Goblins have tunnelled under the High Pass.”

“Goblins?” she asked, eyes serious. He nodded. “Have you told Thorin?” Bifur nodded again. “Let me guess, it hasn’t changed his mind?” she said, an almost acidic touch to her tone.

“He fears we will miss Durin’s day,” the Dwarrow responded with a shrug, though his soft grey eyes showed his own concern.

“I know. That is why despite my fears I will follow his lead,” she sighed, turning to watch the mountain again. “You said the mountains sing?”

“All rock, stone and minerals sing. Some more sweetly then others. It is how Dwarrow find precious and semi-precious minerals and metals in bedrock. Their cascades ring at a higher frequency,” he explained quietly.

“I didn’t realise you were a Cantor Bifur,” she commented.

“I am, but my Craft lies in wood-working. Bofur is the Mining Engineer, Bombur the Architect. It is something I would prefer to be kept quiet for now, Thorin and Balin are aware only because I felt as the leaders of this expedition they should know,” he answered.

Billa glanced back at him, understanding in her gaze. “I’ll keep the matter to myself then,” she said before settling in comfortably against Bifur who had brought out a knife and began to whittle away at a chock of wood. She knew they would move on soon, so perhaps she should recoup as much as she could while she had the chance. She didn’t think Thorin would ease up when they eventually set out. In her musing she barely noticed Bifur humming and singing under his breath. Nor did she notice when she fell into a deep undisturbed slumber.

Billa hated being right sometimes.

As she had anticipated, when the day that Gandalf was supposed to arrive came and went without any indicator of the Grey Wizard, Thorin ordered they move on. Billa bit her tongue, though there was no mistaking how much she disliked the idea. Still, she helped pack up camp and was one of the first ready to leave. The copper-haired lass did her best to pull her own weight as they climbed further and further into the mountains, but as the path became less clear and more treacherous, she feared that she would not be able to last much longer. Between the brutal pace Thorin had set for them, and the lack of sleep she had endured staying up to watch for any sign of Gandalf, Billa’s strength was fading fast.

Then came the Stone Giants.

Under any other circumstances, Billa would have enjoyed the discovery. But between the Thunder Battle she and company ended up being reluctant participants in, nearly falling to her death and Thorin’s uncalled for insults. Billa was over it. Still as soon as they entered the cave, she knew It wasn’t over. She wanted to persuade the others to keep going; the battle had ended, and the rain was beginning to let up. But she knew there was little point trying to argue with Thorin in his current state.  

Unable to sleep despite her exhaustion, Billa paced. After a shared glance with Bifur her suspicions had been confirmed. They were not safe. The hobbit lass was the only one visibly prepared when the floor to the cave let out beneath them, and in some ways, she was glad she hadn’t been able to leave to get her fresh air. 

It hadn’t been a smooth fall by any means. But Billa had, once it became clear the Goblins had missed her, sorted through the Company’s packs. Picking out bits and pieces she knew were of value to her Dwarrow Companions if not useful. Before following the path, they had been taken down. She was quick and quiet on her feet and had nearly managed to catch up unseen. She’d caught eyes with Nori just as a Goblin jumped her from above and in the following struggle, they both went over the edge. The last thing Billa saw, was Nori’s marsh green eyes wide with horror.

Billa reaaaaaaally hated being right sometimes.

The moment she had woken up, pillowed in the Cave Fungi she had miraculously fallen atop of. Billa took a moment to curse Thorin’s insane obstinacy mentally before taking stock of her situation. She rolled over slightly, mentally tallying up her injuries to bruises and the odd scrape. Thankfully no broken bones. Her mental cataloguing was interrupted by the sound of footsteps. The gait was unusual and there was an unsettling quality to the muttering she could pick out. As it grew closer, she further buried herself in the Fungi, sharp sea-green eyes alert to any movement in the darkness. Finally, she spotted the odd creature; sickly pale skin, bulging reflective eyes. She could tell despite its skin and bone appearance that it was stronger than she would have anticipated. Billa held her breath as it approached the fallen goblin, she’d been ignoring.  Apparently, the goblin wasn’t quite dead. Although after a few sharp whacks with a nearby rock the creature had successfully dealt with that problem. She remained perfectly still until the creature had disappeared, dragging the corpse of the Goblin along with it.

After waiting a bit longer to ensure it had left, Billa began extracting herself from the Fungi. In the process she stumbled across a very peculiar thing. One that for some reason was filling her with dread even as she pocketed the simple, gold ring. She would examine it and the feeling further once she had found her way out of the tunnels. Unsheathing her twin blades, she set off into the darkness. Praying to Yavanna and Aulë that she and her Dwarrow companions would reunite soon.

BILLA REALLY HATED BEING RIGHT SOMETIMES.

As she burst into the sunlight, Billa finally felt she was marginally safe from the creature in the dark. She hadn’t been expecting to run into the creature, or how bad a sport he was when she outmatched him in a game of riddles fair and square. He had got the riddle about the egg, and the riddle about teeth. But it wasn’t her fault that he had failed the riddle about names. Then of course he had had a fit about having lost his ‘precious’, accused her of stealing then tried to kill her. She could only be thankful she never gave him her name. She barely escaped him, but in the process had seen her companions also escape the Mountain. So perhaps it hadn’t been all bad, she mused as she slowly made her way down the hill to where she had seen her companions run.

She was beginning to feel the adrenaline recede, leaving her body aching and battered. As she approached a clearing in the sparse trees, she was startled by a shout.

“Curse the Halfling now she’s lost!”

Dwalin, Billa frowned.

“I thought she was with Kíli,” Gloín said.

“Don’t blame me!” Kíli cried out, although Billa could also hear the concern in his voice.

“Well, where did you last see her?” A familiar voice asked. Gandalf, Billa sighed in relief as she picked up her pace again following the voice.

“I think I saw her slip away when they first cornered us,” Oín said.

“What happened exactly? Tell me!” Gandalf ordered a level of panic beginning to rise in his voice. Or at least Billa thought it sounded like panic.

“I’ll tell you what happened,” Thorin said bitterly. “Miss Baggins saw her chance and she took it. She’d thought of nothing but her soft bed and her warm hearth since she first stepped out the door. We will not be seeing the hobbit again; she is long gone.”

 Billa stumbled. Her mouth falling open and tears pricking her eyes. Is that really what he thought of her? She thought they had moved passed this, in Rivendell.

“Are you insane?” another voice shouted. Nori. “Bilbo dropped everything to help you! She gave up her holding, her life for you!” Nori’s voice broke.

“Nori?” Bofur asked.

“She fell.”

“Thorin be damned,” she muttered to herself, she would not leave her family thinking she was dead. And Nori was family by Yavanna.

“I did!” she called out, marching into the clearing glaring frostily at the startled Thorin. “I don’t know how I survived but by the Green Lady I did.”

“Bilbo!” Nori breathed; marsh green eyes watery. She barely had a chance to brace herself for the bone breaking embrace she was scooped into.  After a few murmured reassurances she managed to coax Nori into letting her go.

“Why did you come back?” Thorin asked, enraging her.

As soon as she was free, she rounded on Thorin, eyes ablaze. “How dare you,” she began her voice quiet but commanding. “How dare you think I went back on my word. On my honour. I have done all that has been within my power to help you and this is what thanks I receive for it?”

“I-” he began, taken aback.

“I am not finished!” she interrupted him, her eyes narrowing. “You’re right. I do think of home. I often think of Bag End. I miss my books, my armchair, and my garden. But that is what fuels me. That is the very reason I am here. To see you home. To see you reunited with the place you belong. It was taken from you and by my life or death I swore I would help you take it back,” she seethed at him. “Let this be your lesson Thorin Oakenshield, in honour. I have sworn my oath and made my promise. Do not ever doubt me again. Or you will rue the day you crossed me.” With that said Billa turned on her heel and returned to Nori’s side. It took the Company a few moments to take in her words, but most were wearing smiles when she turned back to them Gandalf was wearing a proud little smirk that had her rolling her eyes.

Before anything more could be said. The howls of Wargs sounded.

“Out of the frying pan-” Thorin began staring at Gandalaf in horror.

“- and into the fire. Run. RUN!” the Wizard shouted. In short order the company were sprinting down the mountain.

To their misfortune the company ended up cornerd on a cliff, stuck in a tree right on the precipice. Billa cursed her luck yet again.  What happened next Billa would likely never forget and yet was as surreal as a dream. The arrival of the White Orc, Azog complicated matters. But between the goading of Thorin, and the fire and the Wargs, Billa had somehow ended up Thorin’s primary defender. Killing not one but three orcs before Dwalin, Fíli and Kíli managed to join the fray. As angry as she was at Thorin she had known he could not fall. Her own desire for revenge on the Orc that stole her Mother from her may have contributed to the sudden adrenaline burst.

The arrival of the eagles of Manwë had been timed well, and Billa allowed herself to be picked up and deposited on another eagle. She collapsed in exhaustion then, falling into a deep sleep as the Company was flown to safety. Billa was jolted awake as the Eagle she lay upon landed, but he was kind enough to wait for her to wake a little before helping her off his back. She thanked him politely, before groggily making her way over to where the company stood watching over Thorin. Nori approached her silently, standing close enough that she could lean some of her weight on him.

It took several moments but after a few muttered words from Gandalf the Dwarrow King-In-Exile awoke.

“The halfling?” Thorin sputtered weakly.

Billa’s eyes narrowed and she stood up straight.

“It’s all right. Bilbo is here. She’s quite safe,” Gandalf responded.

Billa watched cautiously as Thorin was helped up.

“You! What were you doing? You nearly got yourself killed! Did I not say that you would be a burden? That you would not survive in the wild and that you had no place amongst us?” Thorin demanded gruffly advancing on her. Billa felt more than saw Nori stand up straight beside her, his hand tightening on his quarter staff.

“I’ve never been so wrong in all my life!” Billa couldn’t help the squeak that left her as Thorin embraced her roughly.  The rest of the Company cheered while Nori looked on expression caught between one of relief and one of annoyance. Eventually Billa hugged the King back, still finding the situation quite bizarre. 

“I am sorry that I doubted you,” Thorin apologised after pulling back. Billa studied him for a moment.

“No. I understand the doubt, and I understand your fear. I am no warrior, no hero. Not even a burglar. But I hope that you have learned from your mistake,” she said.

Nori, Bifur, and Kíli broke into snickers over the expression of shock on Thorin’s face before the King laughed. An honest genuine laugh.

“I hope so as well, my friend,” Thorin said, stunning Billa with his words. Coughing awkwardly to avoid having to respond to that the hobbit looked about trying to find another topic of conversation when her eyes landed on a rather heart-warming sight.

“Is that what I think it is?” she asked pointing in the direction of a lonely peak on the near horizon. The Company became enraptured by the sight almost immediately.

“Erebor – the Lonely Mountain. The last of the great dwarf Kingdoms of Middle-earth,” Gandalf intoned respectfully.

“Our home,” Thorin said his voice filled with reverence and affection.

Their mountain gazing was interrupted by the song of birds as they flew by.

“A raven! The birds are returning to the Mountain!” Oín cried out.

Gandalf chuckled. “That, my dear Oín was a thrush.”

“But we’ll take it as a sign. A good omen,” Thorin said, cheering his fellow Dwarrow. Billa on the otherhand felt a memory niggle at her. She wasn’t so sure it was as good a sign as they expected. Still she smiled and shared in the Company’s cheer as they watched the sun rise behind the Lonely Mountain.

The journey down the Carrock – as Gandalf had called it – was very difficult for Billa. It was difficult enough for the Dwarrow but for her, who was a good half-head shorter than the shortest of the Dwarrow she found each of the steps ridiculously tall. It had taken the majority of the day to reach the base of the large peak. The Company didn’t get much farther that night before they set up camp in a thicket near the Anduin River. After a meagre meal of what little rations they still had among those who had managed to retain their packs, Billa dug into her pack and into her many pockets retrieving the valuables she had stashed away before she went about returning them to their owners quietly with a small exhausted smile. Even with the few hours sleep she had had that morning Billa felt a bone-deep exhaustion, and after finishing her self-appointed task she curled up in her cloak beside Nori who was on first watch and fell asleep her head resting on his thigh.

The next morning Billa was the last awake, and it was with heavy feet that she forced herself onwards. The next two days followed in a similar pattern as the Company kept moving onwards with the memory of the Howling Wargs on the tail. On the third day since their Flight from the Mountains, Billa was scouting the rocky outcrop they were passing through. On the horizon Billa spotted the Warg Pack, heading North away from their current position. Sighing with relief at the small advantage that gave the Company, Billa was blindsided by the snarl that came from a lot closer.  Hiding behind a boulder, Billa steadied her breath before poking her head around and searching for the source. On a nearby outcrop she spotted a huge Black Bear watching the Orcs and Wargs, snarling softly. Eyes widening in concern, Billa snuck away careful not to catch the attention of the large predator.

Billa was quick on her feet and she returned to the Company, breathing heavily and eyes wide.

“How close is the pack?” Dwalin asked as soon as she returned.

“Too close,” she answered. “A couple of leagues, no more, but that’s hardly the worst of it.”

“Have the Wargs picked up our scent?” the King’s Guard demanded, gripping one of his Warhammer’s tightly.

“Not yet, but they will; we have another problem,” she said anxiously looking over her shoulder.

“Did they see you? They saw you!” Gandalf said worried.

“No! That’s not it!”

Gandalf satisfied, turned to the rest of the Company. “See, what did I tell you? Quiet as a mouse. Excellent burglar material.”

Billa huffed while the dwarves chuckled at the Wizard’s words. Exasperated she raised her voice slightly. ““Will you listen- Will you just listen? I'm trying to tell you there is something else out there.”

Immediately everyone turned to face her, expressing the worry she felt they should have been expressing since she returned to begin with.

“What form did it take? Like a bear?” the Istar asked.

“Ye-” Billa paused, narrowing her eyes on the Wizards as she continued. “Yes. But bigger, much much bigger.”

Bofur who picked up Billa’s caution turned to Gandalf. “You knew about this beast?”

Gandalf – as usual – didn’t answer and instead walked a few steps away.

“I say we double back,” Bofur said, turning to the others.

“And be run down by a pack of Orcs,” Thorin retorted, though he appeared concerned.

Finally, Gandalf spoke up. “There is a house, it’s not far from here, where we might take refuge.”

“Whose house? Are they friend or foe?” the King in Exile demanded of the Istar.

“Neither. He will help us, or he will kill us.”

Billa stared at the Istar in wide-eyed horror. “What choice do we have?” Thorin asked.

An ear-spliting roar sounded from behind them and there was no mistaking what it was that made it.

“None,” Gandalf muttered.

Once again, they were running for their lives. It was in moments like this when Billa questioned her sanity. Why had she decided to join this insane suicide quest? They had been running for at least a good hour as the sun was beginning to set when the Company burst unto an open plain from the thick woodland to spy a large farmstead surrounded by a hedge in the centre of the wildflower fields.

Gandalf was shouting orders left and right with the Company following them blindly. It wasn’t until the Company was safely behind barred doors that Billa allowed herself to glare at the Wizard who simply shrugged sheepishly. Feeling decidedly exhausted, Billa ignored everyone and went to find somewhere quiet she could curl up and get some sleep. She could only hope their unknowing host would at least let them apologise for the intrusion before he killed them.

Billa slept all through the day, the night and a good deal of the next morning before she awoke. Green eyes opened lethargically, as she slowly began to stretch her tired cramped limbs. As she woke up, she noticed she was no longer simply covered by her own blanket but also by Nori’s thick Dwarvish coat. She smiled at the sight and stood up from the nest she had made in the soft hay. Folding the heavy coat over her arm, Billa left her pack by the hay and went in search of her companions. She vaguely remembered waking up at least once during the night in the wee hours of the morning to their host returning. As she entered the main section of the house, she was surprised to find she was the last awake.

“Ah the little bunny is awake,” their host said, Beorn if Billa remembered correctly.

Billa blushed at the pet name, not entirely sure how she felt about it. “Ah yes,” she stammered out. Nori helped her up onto the stool next to him as their host went about filling their cups with milk.

“So you are the one they call Oakenshield. Tell me, why is Azog the Defiler hunting you?” the large man said, addressing Thorin.

Thorin studied their host. “You know of Azog? How?”

“My people were the first to live in the mountains, before the Orcs came down from the north. The Defiler killed most of my family, but some he enslaved,” he answered, he was softly spoken for one so tall and intimidating.  “Not for work, you understand, but for sport. Caging skin-changers and torturing them seemed to amuse him.” Billa felt her heart bleed for the man.

“There are others like you?” she asked, her eyes sorrowful but still hopeful.

“Once, there were many,” he responded.

Billa hesitated to ask, “and now?”

“Now, there is only one,” he said.

Billa nodded silently her eyes sad, and her heart aching for the skin-changer. She couldn’t imagine how lonely he must be.

“You are a kind one little bunny,” he said after studying her for a few moments. “For your kindness I will allow you and your company to remain here as long as you need to recuperate. I have only three requests, first that you tell me your story, secondly that no one leaves after dusk turns to night, and thirdly that you treat my animals with respect this is their home, not yours. I can not ensure your safety beyond the walls of my home,” he said, his dark eyes roaming over the company of Dwarrow, one hobbit and one wizard in his presence.

“As you wish,” Gandalf said quickly, speaking before Thorin could. “And thank you very much Beorn for your hospitality.”

Beorn looked at the Istar indifferently. “It is for the little bunny that I will allow as such,” he said firmly. Before he turned and left without preamble. Billa had to admit she was slightly shocked by the skin-changers words but was not going to argue with the man.

It was decided after a long-winded debate between Balin, Thorin, and Gandalf that the Company would stay for a week. As they needed rest and to recuperate from the journey since the Misty Mountains. Thorin hadn’t been happy about it, but Balin had been able to convince him as they still had just under three months before Durin’s Day. Billa had praised Yavanna and Aulë for the blessing that had been Thorin’s grumpy agreement. The first thing she had done after the decision had been made is seek out their intimidating host to apologise for the intrusion, thank him for his generosity and ask after the chance for a bath. The skin-changer had been delighted by her hobbit-y manners and had been more than happy to have his delightful animals organise her and Ori a sheltered bath – with warm water and fresh goats milk soap.

Over the time they had been travelling together Ori and Billa had become fast friends, and Billa had even come to be less ashamed about her battle-scars as the Dwarrowdam called them. If there was one thing Billa found, she loved about Dwarrow culture it was how they celebrated life.  Ori had been just as delighted by the thought of a bath as Billa had been, that whatever concern she had had concerning their host evaporated in short order.

“Do you think he’d like a nice scarf as a thank you?” the dam asked as she helped Billa wash and detangled her matted curly hair.

“I think that would be lovely Ori,” the hobbit said with a bright smile. The two women spoke quietly as they continued to wash themselves free from the grime of the quest so far.

Ori surprised Billa at one point with a question. “Have you given any thought into your Heart’s dream?” the redhead asked as she began to rebraid her hair. Billa had been working on her own braids as over the time since she had been honoured with them, she had been adamant that she would learn how to do it herself.

Billa paused, startled before her fingers automatically continued the braiding while she considered the question. “To be honest, no,” she confessed. “While we were in Imladris it was fine to be idle at times but since we have been on the road again, I have hardly felt fancy to be appropriate.”

Ori studied Billa for several moments in silence before seeming to come to a decision. “I think you are afraid of what you might find if you consider it too closely,” the redhead said, but allowed the topic to drop. Instead offering up a discussion regarding the colour of the scarf she should knit their generous host.

Aside from meals, the company was allowed to spend most of their first day recuperating. So Billa found herself exploring the farm stead. She took great interest in the flowers both wild and domesticated she found, as well as enjoying the peaceful ambiance of Beorn’s Home. Sitting aside a bubbling brook that passed through Beorn’s lands, Billa considered her earlier conversation with Ori. While the dam hadn’t exactly called her out for her avoidance, it had been a very close thing and that had Billa feeling slightly ashamed. Ori wasn’t wrong. She was afraid of what she would find if she considered her Heart’s dream too closely. Certain aspects of the dream had already begun to manifest quite clearly, but Billa didn’t want to acknowledge it. It was just a crush, nothing more. Her mind was playing tricks on her connecting dots where they shouldn’t. She knew she was being a coward when she returned to the rest of the Company, all thoughts of Heart’s Homes and certain Raven-haired Princes once again compartmentalised.

That evening Beorn and his animals hosted a magnificent feast with all manner of delectable foods. From an assortment of breads, and cakes, to several different varieties of fruits and cheeses. Billa was entranced by the way Beorn’s animals had set out the feast, with the dogs walking upon their hind legs and tottering past the table with plates balanced artfully on their fore legs. Beorn, himself though generally soft spoken, became rather boisterous after a few cups of his home brew honeyed mead. The skin-changer, fascinated Billa and she found herself studying him throughout the feast.

He was taller than any man she had ever met, and even stood a good two heads above Gandalf. He was covered nearly from head to toe in thick bushy black hair, his beard capable of rivaling some of her comrades had they the time to tame it. Even in his human form Billa could make out the rippling muscles that spoke of his predatory strength, although the hobbit found she did not fear him as terrifying a sight as he might appear. It was clear to her that Beorn respected all manner of lifeforms, from the smallest creatures to the dangerous; with the clear exception of Orcs and Goblins, but Billa could hardly blame him for it.

He had lightened up over the day the Company had spent in his abode and where he had been taciturn and stoic he was now boisterous and friendly. Gandalf had been treating Beorn to the tale of the Company over drinks for the greater part of the afternoon, and it seemed that the Wizard's talent for storymaking had come in handy. Every so often Bofur would add a story or two that would have the Northman cackling heartily and slapping his knee.

Billa was interrupted from her observation by the boisterous skin-changer turning to address her. “So, the Little Bunny has a tongue of steel, as sharp as her stingers,” he said with a hearty laugh and an almost proud gleam in his black eyes.

“Pardon?” she stuttered, having not been paying atterntion to the story telling the Wizard and Miner had been treating their host too.

“She certainly does,” Bofur agreed proudly. “I have never seen our illustrious leader so taken aback before.” Billa’s cheeks pinked at the reminder of how she had talked to Thorin just after the Company’s escape from the Goblins. Still she wasn’t going to apologise, she stood by what she’d said even if it had not been her most diplomatic moment.

“It seems for one so small she is full of wisdom,” Beorn commented sagely, sending Thorin a pointed look. “If I were you Master Oakenshield I would protect the Little Bunny with my life, she is a treasure worth more than all the gold in Middleearth.”

To Billa’s immense surprise, Thorin agreed. “You speak the truth Master Beorn, I only wished I had trusted in her sooner.”

“What in the Green Lady is going on-” Billa muttered to herself, green eyes wide as she glanced between Thorin and Beorn.

“You are being recognised for your great worth mimzardûna,” Nori answered from her left with an amused grin.

“Mimzardûna? Why do you call the Little Bunny that?” Beorn asked, having heard Nori. “And what does it mean?”

Nori coughed, startled as he hadn’t been speaking very loudly. “Ah-”

It was Billa’s turn to be amused. “It means fairy, Master Beorn,” she answered with a teasing smirk at the still embarrassed Nori. “Apparently Nori thought I was a fairy the first time we met.”

“Well, he wasn’t exactly wrong was he,” Kíli teased. “You can use magic to glow and are capable of speaking to your Creator in ways no other race in Arda can.”

“What are you talking about Kee?” Fíli demanded, eyes bright with interest.

Kíli raised an eyebrow at Billa, silently asking if she wanted to answer that. Billa rolled her eyes exaggeratedly and stuck her tongue out at him. It wasn’t like it was supposed to be a secret. “He’s referring to the spell I used to make myself glow when I stalled the Trolls from making you their dinner,” Billa answered. “The ability to Speak to the Lady Yavanna isn’t quite accurate but I’ll forgive you Kíli.”

“Well how would you describe Kaminzabdûna’s response to your offering?” Bofur asked, having connected the dots to what Kíli had been referring to.

“Offering?” Balin asked.

Billa sighed, it was going to be another Hobbit history lesson. Ori had come to the same conclusion apparently as the young dam already had her quill and journal ready. “When the Hobbits were chased out of our Homeland, we began what was called the Wandering Days. We spent six hundred years wandering the lands before in TA1601 with the permission of King Arglebb II of Arthedain did we settle in the Shire. During the Wandering Days we were unable to build places of worship for the Lady Yavanna, so a new practice began,” she began, recapping some of the history she had already imparted to provide context. “We Hobbits have our own creation story, one that is not really known beyond our borders. Hobbits are the lesser known children of Yavanna; a dowry gift from the AllFather Eru upon her marriage to the Great Smith Yule. When the Mother created Hobbits, unknowingly some of her magic was imparted to us upon our creation. Yavanna planted six seeds in the Vale of the Anduin and from those six seeds sprouted two Harfoots, two Stoors and two Fallohides; the matriarch and patriarch of each Hobbit tribe.”

“Can you tell us about the Hobbit tribes?” Ori asked.

Billa smiled fondly at her friend even as their companions groaned. “I’ll explain about them later, Ori dear. All you need to know for the minute is that the Stoorfolk made their home along the banks of the Gladden River, while the Harfoots kept to the foothills of the Misty Mountains likely as far north as our friends the Eagles’ Eyrie. The Fallohides were the smallest tribe and they kept to the forested region in the north of the Anduin Vale. Before the Wandering Days the tribes kept mainly to themselves limiting intertribal contact to trade and feast days in worship of our Lady Mother. As I mentioned before there isn’t a whole lot known about our history before the Wandering as much of it was lost, but what I do know is that there used to be four sacred sites dedicated to our Mother and her Husband Aulë. Each site was used at different times of the year and for different sacred rites, but that is all that is known,” Billa said, eyes bright as she spoke.

She so loved the history of her people and was rather excited to share it.  Nori handed her a pint of Beorn’s honeyed mead and she paused to take a long sip to wet her dry mouth before she took up the story again, “obviously, once we were driven from the Vale we no longer had access to our sacred sites, so the new practice was formed. Relying on the innate magic of each hobbit, we were able to create small altars to our Lady Mother. The altars were originally created from a ring of stones, seven to represent the sons of our Lady Mother’s husband. A recognition of the bond between Yavanna and Aulë. And in between each stone was often placed a seed to represent each of the three tribes; one seed each for the feminine and masculine, so six seeds in all. These altars were permanent fixtures as they were blessed by the Green Lady herself. As the need to be more mobile increased, the act of planting the six seeds was dropped as it became more of a hindrance to the act of worship. Instead the use of the seven stones and a small blessing ceremony became the practice.”

“That’s what we did back in Rivendell isn’t it?” Kíli clarified. “We found seven stones of similar sizes and you spoke the ceremonial blessing over them as you placed them?”

Billa smiled and nodded eagerly. “Exactly right Kíli!” she said. “The magic of the altar is not as permanent as the Olde Way, but it remains powerful enough for the act of worship and thanks,” she explained more for Ori’s benefit than out of necessity. “So, what we did in Imladris by gifting the Mother with a handcrafted gift, especially one of made from her own creations, was a prayer of goodwill and gratitude.”

“And Kaminzabdûna responded to your gift?” Balin queried fascinated.

“She did. She often responds to gifts from her children,” Billa answered.

“Since the Zantulbasn settled in the Shire, have they gone back to creating permanent altars or sacred sites?” Ori asked.

Billa considered the question. “Not in the way you would expect. Each household has their own way of worshiping the Lady Mother. Some families like the Took’s and the Brandybucks who have many generations living in the one place have created permanent altars. There is also a permanent altar at the base of the Party Tree in the centre of Hobbiton, but most families have a set of sacred altar stones that are handed down to the heir. Others will give an altar stone set as a wedding gift to newlyweds so that they can set up an altar whenever they have need for it.”

“Holbytlan!” Beorn suddenly exclaimed, Billa had missed the thoughtful expression on the Northman’s face so she was incredibly startled by the cry, nearly falling off her stool. “I thought there was something familiar about the tale you were telling Little Bunny!”

“Excuse me?” she asked, eyes wide as she met his excited gaze from across the table. Billa was astounded, she had never heard the Olde name for Hobbits used by a stranger before.

“Hole-dwellers! Holbytlan - It is the name the skin-changers, Northmen and the Éothéod had for your ancestors Little Bunny! You are the first I have ever seen, but I remember my Grandfather would speak of the odd little creatures that lived in the foothills of the Mountains before the Goblins and Orcs came. He’d often tell the tale that ‘they do little, and avoid the sight of men, being able to vanish in a twinkling; and they can change their voices to resemble the piping of birds.’ I had always thought it to be a folk tale spoken to ease us youngsters through the harsh reality of captivity.”

“How remarkable,” Gandalf chortled. “Perhaps my dear, there is more to be learned on this venture than anticipated,” the wizard said, winking at the hobbit.

Excitement filled Billa. “Master Beorn, would you be inclined to tell me more of the tales you heard? I would love to hear them!”

“Of course, Little Bunny!” the skin-changer said boisterously. “But it shall have to wait till the morrow, for soon I shall begin my nightly duties.”

“Of course, good sir, of course!” Billa agreed hastily, barely able to contain her excitement.

Nori was having a time of it, muffling his amusement into his pint of mead. It had been some time since he had last seen Billa so incensed by learning. He honestly wasn’t sure how she was not a reputable scholar yet. Her love of history and culture regardless of race would rival many a scholar he mused.

The feast came to an end as Beorn stood from his seat at the head of the table – Gandalf had been sat to his left, while Thorin had been offered the seat to his right.  “I have greatly enjoyed the tale of your journey and will do my best to aid you in whatever you need. However now night has fallen I ask that you recall my warning from this morning. Do not leave the safety of my home until dawn breaks. Still I bid you all goodnight, and please enjoy the evening. My animals will see to your needs, from mead, to pipeweed, to bedding,” the skin-changer said before leaving the table.

The Company took their host’s advice and moved from the dining table to sprawl out across a number of cushions and benches provided for them before the fire. The animals seemed to split up between clearing the table of the remnants of the feast and seeing to the Company. Some dogs tottered around with pitchers of honeyed mead topping up tankards as they passed while some ponies mulled around offering pouches of pipeweed. Billa found the whole scenario fascinating. The evening wound down quietly with the Company splitting up into smaller conversations. Eventaully one after the other, the Company bid each other goodnight and soughts their beds. Billa had been among the first to fall captive to Irmo’s domain.

Billa spent a good deal of the next two days in the company of the youngest Dwarrow, Bofur, and Nori. When Dwalin wasn’t playing task master and putting them through their paces with weapons training. She ignored most of Ori’s pointed looks and instead enjoyed spending time with her friends. When she tired of Ori’s exasperation, Billa would seek out Bifur who would smile knowingly and sit with her silently as she watched the fire while he whitled. The rest of her time was spent with their host, often asking questions about the folklore surrounding her ancestors. She had been interested to find out that up until just under four hundred years prior there was still evidence of Stoorfolk living along the banks of the Gladden River.

On the third day into their stay, a thought occurred to Billa. She had completely forgotten about the odd ring she had picked up in the Goblin Tunnels. Finding herself alone for the first time in a while, Billa fished it out of her pocket to study it. It was fairly unremarkable to look at, but something was warning her not to be deceived by its simplicity. That it could very well be incredibly dangerous. Having had good experiences with believing in her gut instinct, Billa promised she would never put it on. In the same breath however, something was telling her to keep it secret and safe. That same instinct that had saved her life on several occasions was reacting to this peculiar trinket. Still, Billa knew better than to ignore it. Determinedly Billa found a spare leather strap in one of her pockets and looped the ring onto it. After securing the ring, she then tied it loosely around her neck, hiding it beneath her tunic and her undershirt.

She was startled from her solitude, hand hovering over the now hidden ring by Kíli.

“Ah there you are Billa,” he called approaching her from around the side of the Stables. “Beorn was looking for you, he said he had something to show you.”

“Oh?” Billa asked standing up from where she’d been seated on a tree stump, she dusted herself off. “Any idea what it is?”

“I think it has to do with the conversation you and Ori were having with him over dinner last night, about the permanent Hobbit altars,” he said, hands in the pockets of his trousers. Since the Company was currently resting from the road, they had taken to enjoying the warm weather. So off had come the thick Dwarven coats and tunics, and most of the Company had been trouncing around in loose linen shirts and trousers. Some had even forgone wearing their boots. Kíli was one such Dwarrow and Billa had been having a time of it trying to keep her gaze to remain solely on the Prince-in-Exile’s face. It wasn’t fair, why did he have to be so damn attractive, Billa cursed quietly as she found her gaze wandering again; taking in the leanly muscled Dwarrow in front of her. Kíli – annoyingly – had taken to wandering around barefoot, with his trousers and sleeves rolled up showing off gloriously toned limbs. His linen shirt was loosely tied around the neck showing far too much of a lightly haired chest than entirely necessary. What had Billa absolutely in a tizzy was the fact the Lady be damned Dwarrow had his lush dark hair tied up in a bun to keep it off his neck. Billa thought she must be going crazy, as she felt her cheeks heating up, and her stomach begin to squirm.

“Oh, I see,” she said, clearing her throat slightly. Lady help me, that smile! Billa cursed. Kíli was grinning at her, an almost smug expression. Coughing again, she forced a not quite natural smile unto her face. “Shall we go then?”

“As you wish,” Kíli said, his grin broadening and a shimmer of mirth appeared in his chocolate coloured eyes.

“Confusticate and bebother these troublesome Dwarrow!” she muttered under her breath in Greenspeech. She was under no impression that she had managed to appear calm and collected. Kíli’s smug expression told her as much. But that didn’t mean she had to acknowledge she was flustered by his smile, or his gorgeous eyes, or those delectable muscles – Billa very quickly put a stop to those thoughts, boxing them up and shoving them deep down to interrogate at a later time - preferably never. Kíli led Billa across Beorn’s free holding towards the front gate with idle chatter about the weather, and the odd smirk that sent Billa’s stomach twisting itself into knots.

By the time the duo finally came across Beorn, Gandalf, Ori, Balin and to Billa’s surprise Thorin, she was struggling to keep her calm. Taking a deep breath and shooting a small glare at Kíli who simply chuckled in response, Billa picked up her pace to reach the group first.

“Master Beorn! Kíli said you were looking for me?” she asked, looking curiously around the group.

“Ah Little Bunny! Yes, yes, I was. The Grey Wizard reminded me of something you mentioned last night when we were discussing the potential remnants of Holbytlan relics in the area. Your description of the permanent altars that were used by your ancestors sounded very similar to a site on my holding,” the Bear said.

Billa’s eyes glittered at the idea. “Really?”

“Yes, it was the reason I chose this land to cultivate for my holding,” he answered. “The young dwarf scribe here overheard us and thought it would interest you to see it. I can see he was correct.”

“Oh, very much so. Thank you, Ori!” Billa said excitedly. “Could you please show us?”

“Of course, Little Bunny,” the skin-changer said. Billa quickly fell in step beside the much taller man, struggling to keep up as she began to pepper him with questions about the site.

“How did you find it Master Beorn?”

“I can’t exactly say, as I am not sure. It was after my escape from the Orcs, I was wounded and exhausted and had been wandering aimlessly for weeks. When I finally collapsed from exhaustion, I slept for several days. When I awoke, I found myself surrounded by small woodland critters in a sizeable clearing surrounded by seven standing stones. In between each stone was a different tree. I stayed there for a few more days before I found the brook and made the decision to create a freeholding on the land surrounding the site,” he answered, leading the small group to the far north west corner of the hedge-fenced holding. Billa had yet to explore that far yet on her own, as that particular area of the holding was sparsley wooded and a fair distance from the house and other farm buildings.

“How fascinating,” she murmured. “What species were the trees?” she asked.

“Holly, Beech, Alder, Willow, Oak and Elder,” Beorn responded. “The strangest assortment I have ever seen growing so close to one another.” The tall man glanced down at the small lass in consideration for a moment before he stopped and to Billa’s utter surprise scooped her up in one muscled arm before continuing on his way.  “Much better,” he said, “I had feared your little legs would give out at the pace we were going.”

“I was doing quite well on my own thank you Master Beorn,” Billa retorted huffily, glaring at her Dwarrow comrades who were doing their best to avoid eye contact lest they lose what little control they had over their laughter. Gandalf didn’t even attempt to hide his amusement, not that that surprised Billa in the slightest. Still, she was never going to admit that she was actually enjoying being carried by the skin-changer. She was a Baggins afterall.

They reached the site the Northman spoke of in fairly short work after he had picked the hobbit up, and Billa had to admit – if only to herself – that it hadn’t been a bad idea. The site in question had enraptured Billa the moment she had laid eyes on it. Beorn had set her down just outside the ring of stones and instantaneously Billa had felt the power of the place. She almost felt intoxicated by it.

The copper-haired hobbit-lass barely noticed when she began to glow as she entered the circle, distracted by the magic she could feel thrumming in her very veins. Green eyes flickered around excitedly taking in the sight. She was stood in the centre of the ring of stones, and trees in a field of wildflowers of every colour. Turning around slowly, she examined each of the stones; she could vaguely make out carvings in each of them. The stones themselves stood about five and a half feet tall which was quite impressive for a Hobbit made structure, although Billa could see that Beorn and Gandalf easily towered over them. Each stone was perfectly hewn into a tapered point skyward, and in between each of the seven stones where the trees as Beorn had spoken of.

“Holly for Action, Assertion and Objectivity,” she said aloud speaking in Westron though her instinct had been to speak in her mother tongue, catching the attention of the group who had been wandering the clearing examining the structure themselves. “Beech for Knowledge and Guidance. Alder for Protection, Endurance and Strength. Willow for Fertility, Healing, Intuition. Oak for Strength, Stability and Success. Elder for Endurance, Ingenuity, Femininity,” she continued her voice lyrical and soft as she spoke, “two were planted for the Fallohides; Holly and Beech as they were the Adventurous and Bold. Two were planted for the Harfoots; Alder and Willow, for they were the Fertile and Protective. And two for the Stoorfolk; Oak and Elder, for they were the Strong and Enduring.”

“So, I see this is one of the sites you spoke of,” Beorn commented.

Billa glanced at the tall man in acknowledgement. “I have only ever heard the tales Master Beorn. To see it with my own eyes and to feel the presence of the Lady so strongly in my blood, is an honour I never thought I would receive.”

“These stones were made by Dwarrow,” Thorin said, speaking up from near the largest stone in the ring. Curious, Billa approached the King in Exile, to see what he was examining.

“Truly?” Gandalf asked, his own curiosity peaked it seemed.

“Yes,” Thorin affirmed strongly. “This is Dwarrow stonework, but there is no makers mark to be seen. Each stone has the rune for each Dwarrow Line carved into it in Khuzdul.”

“It was once said that each tribe of Holbytla had association with only one race outside our own,” Billa said studying the rune on the stone Thorin was standing in front of; it denoted the Line of Durin. “The Fallohides, tall and hairless were friendly with the elves over their skill with the bow and their love of the forest. The Stoors, strong and sturdily built wore boots and made a living from the river, men were their friends. But it was the Harfoots who made their smials in the foothills of the mountains, proud and stubborn that were the friends of the Dwarrow.”

“Which tribe do you hail from Billa?” Ori asked curiously. The Dwarrowdam had taken out her journal immediately and begun sketching the sight, and Billa was grateful she had thought to do so.

“All of them,” she answered, glancing over at her shoulder at her friend with a mysterious smile. “My Mother was a Took, and Fallohide blood runs strong through their veins but so did Stoor thanks to the Brandybuck and Chubb lines. My Father was a Baggins; a Harfoot through and through with the exception of my Grandmother who was of Stoor blood. The perfect Chennad my Grandfather used to say.”

“Is that why you have more control over your innate magic then other Hobbits?” Kíli asked, from where he’d been examining the stonework of one of the other stones.

“Quite possibly,” Billa answered with a shrug. “I was always the odd one during my lessons with Old Took. My cousins never quite could feel the earth magic as strongly as I could, there was also the fact that I was always the first to feel the Lady’s presence. But Rorimac has always been better at spellworking then me, he has more control over the spell. Adalgrim has the best stamina when it comes to spellwork. Flambard is a master at glamour spells but then again he is a narcissist.”

“The Lady Yavanna’s presence is strong here,” Gandalf agreed. “You’ve been glowing my dear, since you stepped within the ring.”

“You are one of her Chosen, are you not?” Beorn queried.

Billa simply nodded at the skin-changer, glancing at her glowing skin. It was more of a golden shimmer that seemed to drape over her than a genuine halo like some of the Eldar had. “I didn’t speak the invocation for the light,” Billa remarked to the Istar.

“I think the land itself recognises you as one of the Lady Yavanna’s Messengers, my dear,” Gandalf answered thoughtfully. “I haven’t seen anything like this for an age.”

“Do you think we should make an offering to Kaminzabdûna like we did in Rivendell?” Kíli asked turning to look between Billa and Thorin.

Balin who had been silently examining the standing stones finally spoke up. “I think that would be a great idea Kíli,” the old Advisor said before Thorin or Billa could speak. “I think we could all do with the restorative power of a feast for Mahal and Kaminzabdûna, if we were to do it on our last night here and each make an offering, I think it would do a lot for the Company morale.”

Thorin appeared contemplative. “It’s not a bad idea actually,” he said, sending a proud smile at Kíli and agreeing nod to Balin.

“I don’t think it’s a bad idea either,” Gandalf agreed. “I think after the debacle of the Goblin Tunnels it would do us all some good.”

“It has been years since I have joined in on festivities in honour of the Valar,” Beorn rumbled. “I think it is time that that changes.”

“It seems that we have come to an agreement then,” Thorin commented, before he turned to Billa, “Billiana?”

Billa who hadn’t said anything was a little surprised by the address. “Yes Thorin?”

“What are your thoughts?”

“I agree that it is a good idea, I think we all need a night of merriment. But I also think that celebrating our Creators will help us to refocus when it comes time to continue on,” she answered after a few moments thought.

“Would you be willing to lead the celebration?”  Thorin asked.

Billa glanced at him, eyes wide. “Me?”

“I think Thorin is right Billa,” Ori piped up. “I don’t think anyone is more qualified, except maybe Gandalf,” the dam continued with a curious look at the Wizard who tilted his head in acknowledgement.

Billa considered the Wizard for a few moments but didn’t see a problem with agreeing. “I don’t see why not, but I don’t know a lot about how you Dwarrow celebrate Aulë,” she said.

Balin and Thorin seemed to have a silent conversation, before the King in Exile spoke up. “I think, if we consider the time and the place, it would be more prudent to celebrate our Maker and his Lady the Hobbit way,” he said diplomatically.

Billa stared at Thorin startled. “Oh.”

“Maybe there are things from our own culture that we can incorporate in the celebration,” Ori said thoughtfully. “Like some of the hymns?” she asked Balin.

“If Miss Baggins thinks it suitable, I can’t see why not,” Balin said sagely. “We will be celebrating both our Creators after all.”

“I think that would be a great idea,” Billa said smiling at the thought. The idea was honestly growing on her, she had been surprised at first but after another glance around the stone circle she could see a vision in her mind’s eye that filled her with honest joy. “Well if we are going to do this the Hobbit way, I wonder Master Beorn if I could request some assistance?”

Beorn smiled rouguishly. “What do you need?”

Billa’s smile broadened, and her eyes began to glimmer with delight. “Well I was wondering if you could help me speak to those delightful animals of yours.”

Chapter Text

"Khuzdul"

"Greenspeech"

"Sindarin"

" Iglishmêk"

The next four days were very busy for Billa. Since the discovery of the Holbytlan Circle, and the decision that they were going to hold a celebration for Aulë and Yavanna Billa had thrown herself into organising the event with Beorn and Balin’s assistance. She had instructed each of the Dwarrow to craft something with their own hands to offer to the Valar during the ceremony and had made sure to ask Beorn for use of his kitchen for her own gifts. Beorn and his animals had been incredibly helpful when it came to the decorating of the Circle for the event, as well as with the cooking necessary for the feast. Between her baking, and the crafting of sixteen different floral crowns for those who would be attending the celebration she barely had enough time to eat and sleep. She would never have got it all done if it hadn’t been for the help Beorn’s animals had offered her. The small critters and birds had succeeded in finding all the materials Billa had required, but she still had worked late into the night to get her work completed. Balin had helped Billa with determining what aspects of Dwarrow religion they would incorporate into the ceremony; he had also been the one to keep the rest of the Company informed to free her up. Finally, their second last day in Beorn’s holding dawned. Billa had been up since dawn finishing the necessary bits and pieces for that evening.

She had asked Beorn the night before if he had any spare white material. Thankfully the Northman still had some from the last time he had made the long trip to Melburg – the Northman Market Town that sat at the base of the Misty Mountains on the banks of the River Siros. There was just enough of the plain white linen for what Billa needed it for; to sew a simple tunic that fell above her knees with short sleeves. Billa had found great enjoyment embrodering the hem and neckline of the tunic with chains of spearmint and sorrel. To represent warmth of sentiment and the parental affection of Yavanna.

Right after breakfast Billa had ordered all the men folk to bathe, before she had taken Ori by the hand and led the dam away to their separate bathing chamber. When she and Ori had returned, she inspected each member of the Company and once satisfied told everyone to dress in clean but simple clothing.

“-it’s an important aspect of the ceremony, it represents our vulnerability to our Creators and our eternal trust in them,” she was saying.

“Does tha’ mean we can’t wear out boot’s?” Bofur asked cheekily.

Billa rolled her eyes. “Of course, you can wear your boots Bofur, I even encourage you Dwarrow to wear at least one weapon. No need to ready yourself for battle, but Aulë is the Great Smith. He will appreciate the presence of fine smithing,” she said. “Although you will have to ditch the hat for this evening Bofur, you’ll be wearing something else instead. Same goes for you too Grey One!” she had called out to the Wizard, who had been amused by Bofur’s sorrow making the Istar choke on his pipe.

Without another word she had disappeared with Beorn and some of his animals to the Circle to finish getting the site ready for the evening’s festivities. As she continued to dress the trees with flower chains and ‘fairy lights’ – little balls of light that she had summoned and placed in stasis with a little help from Gandalf, Billa reflected on the last few days. She had been surprisingly grateful for being too busy to think about her reaction to Kíli.

Billa was beginning to grow concerned. Over the time she had spent with the Dwarrow, aspects of her Heart’s dream were becoming clearer to her. Just the night before her dreams had been filled with laughter, the taste of chocolate and the heady aroma of cinnamon and ashwood smoke. She had awoken just before dawn with the image of laughing raven fixed in her minds eye. The more she considered what her dreams were telling her, the more frustrated she grew.

Billa’s heart began to pound loudly in her chest as realisation hit her. “I’m bloody attracted to him,” she murmured aghast. Kíli, son of Dis daughter of Thror, the son of a dear friend and here she was – Billiana Belladonna Baggins suddenly very much attracted to the young, handso- “Yavanna help me,” she grumbled, eyes falling shut in despair. What was she going to do?

Pausing in her decorating, Billa began to pace back and forth contemplatively. “I cannot allow myself to fall in love with him. He is a prince, and I am a simple hobbit,” she said decisively. “There is no need to complicate the matter.” A thought suddenly occurred to Billa. “Ori can never know! Oh, I’d never hear the end of it if she found out.” After a few more moments consideration, Billa made her decision. Compartmentalising her recent discovery, she returned to her work.

While Billa had been finishing up the preparations for the evening, Gandalf, Balin, Thorin and Beorn had been discussing the Company’s next move. Beorn kept true to his word and had his animals arrange the necessary supplies for the journey ahead. Billa had returned to the house just in time to hear Beorn’s warning about the Forest.

“A darkness lies upon that forest. Fell things creep beneath those trees. There is an alliance between the Orcs of Moria and the Necromancer in Dol Guldur. I would not venture there except in great need,” Beorn grunted, displeased. Billa paused, a frown pulling at her lips. She didn’t like the sound of that. She stepped closer to the doorway through to the dining room where the four menfolk were sitting talking, so she could better hear.

“We will take the Elven Road. That path is still safe,” Gandalf reassured, smoking from his pipe.

Beorn laughed bitterly. “Safe? The Wood-Elves of Mirkwood are not like their kin. They’re less wise and more dangerous. But it matters not.”

“What do you mean?” Thorin demanded gruffly.

“These lands are crawling with Orcs. Their numbers are growing, and you are on foot. You will never reach the forest alive,” the Skin-changer stated bluntly. Billa heard the screech of wood on floorboards and gathered Beorn had stood up from his seat. “I don’t like dwarves. They’re greedy and blind, blind to the lives of those they deem lesser than their own” the Bear continued, pausing for several long moments that had Billa worrying at her lip, concerned. “But Orcs I hate more. I will lend you use of my ponies till the Forest’s Edge, they will give you the advantage you need against those hunting you.” Billa let out the breath she had been holding, leaning back against the wall she was hiding behind. Something about the conversation she’d overheard bothered her, but a glance out the window to the darkening sky promptly distracted her.

Entering the dining room, she smiled at its occupants. “It just about time for the festivities,” she explained to the questioning look she received from the King in Exile. “I just thought I should let you know.” Passing through the dining room, Billa continued on to her bedroll where she had laid out her things for the evening. She was quick about getting changed out of her trousers and shirt into the new tunic she had sewn and arranging her loose curls – with the exception of her braids – suitably before placing the crown of honeysuckle and passionflower she had crafted for herself upon her head. She wished she’d had the opportunity to hunt down some coloured ribbons to add to the crowns, but it didn’t really matter, she supposed. Gathering up the other fifteen crowns, she made her way out of the house and over towards the Circle. As she had expected she was the first one there, but she wasn’t bothered by that. Instead she flittered between the benches Beorn had brought into the Circle for her and settled the crowns on them before she sat herself down to wait. She didn’t have to wait long before the Company began to filter into the Circle. Ori was the first dragging Nori and Dori behind her excitedly, Fíli and Kíli were next speaking to each other in hushed whispers with identical grins. Oín, Balin and Gloín were next followed shortly after by Gandalf, Beorn, and the three Ur’s. Dwalin and Thorin were the last to arrive, their faces stoic and if Billa was right – and she was sure she was – some tension in their bearings.

“I’m glad you were all so prompt,” she said, catching their attention as she stood and dusted herself off.  “Gloín could you get the bonfire going for us?” she asked gesturing to the decent-size bonfire in the centre of the Stone Circle. The red haried Dwarrow grunted in affirmation before going over to the pile to get to work.

“Before we begin, I wanted to explain a few things to everyone,” Billa said. “As we will be partaking in a hybrid ceremony in honour of Yavanna and Aulë, Balin and I have worked together to marry the two spiritual traditions together as best we can. Thankfully it seems there are quite a few similarities in our practices. However, one such difference, are these,” she said, picking up one of the floral crowns. “Hobbits are not a race of material wealth at heart. We do not have traditional ceremonial robes or artifacts passed down from generation to generation, instead we make our ceremonial wear as it is needed. Each of these crowns has been uniquely and individually tailored to its wearer and will serve as a personal calling card during the Offerings.”

“So, we need to wear the Crowns during the ceremony?” Ori clarified; her excitement palpable.

Billa smiled at her friend. “Indeed, we do.”

“How do we know whose is whose?” Bofur asked as Gloín returned to the group, the Bonfire blazing bright behind him.

“That my dear Bofur, is quite simple. Ori, I need your help here,” Billa said. The Dwarrowdam was quick to Billa’s side and after a few quiet words the two lasses began handing the crowns out.

“These all have meanings, don’t they?” Nori asked as he accepted the crown from his sister and perched it over his star-styled hair.

“They do,” Billa answered, handing Bifur his with a warm smile. She had crafted his Feverfew and Stonecrop crown as more of a wreath, so he didn’t have to fear the axe in his head causing it damage. “Your’s is made from Coriander and Water Lilies Nori, and has the meaning of hidden worth, eloquence, persuasion, and purity of heart.”

“What?” he exclaimed, cheeks pink. Billa smirked at the thief while several of the Company chuckled.

“What about mine?” Bofur asked, striking a silly pose once he had his crown on.

“Cheerfullness,” Ori piped up handing Oín his Sage and Yarrow crown. “Coreopis means always cheerful, while Gerbera’s are for cheerfulness, isn’t that right Billa?”

“That it is,” the hobbit-lass agreed, holding out Thorin’s crown to the King-In-Exile.

“Do I have to?” he asked warily eyeing the floral crown in her hands.

Billa rolled her eyes. “You said we were doing this the Hobbit way, so we’re doing this the Hobbit way Thorin. Plus, it’ll be the lightest crown you’ll ever wear once we retake Erebor,” she said impishly. The stoic Dwarrow seemed to sigh, steel himself and then gently took the crown from her.

“What does it mean?”

“Oak leaves for bravery, Black Poplar for daring and courage, and Amaryllis for -” Billa began to answer.

“Oh! I know this one,” Ori interrupted, “dramatic, pride, poetry, worth beyond beauty and silence!”

Billa smiled sheepishly while the Company laughed at the constipated expression that crossed Thorin’s face.

“Aye tha’ suits Thorin jus’ fine!” Dwalin chortled.

“You can’t talk Dwalin,” Billa responded with a grin handing the warrior his crown. “Fennel for strength, and Gladiolus for strength of character, honour, and faithfullness.” Dwalin flushed bright pink, even as he settled the crown gingerly on his tattooed head.

Once everyone had their crowns settled upon their heads, Billa had to take a moment to appreciate the sight of the burly Dwarrow menfolk all boasting delicate floral wreaths upon their heads before she continued. “I’ll begin with the First Blessing now, invoking the power of the Circle and beginning the ceremony. Once that is done, Balin you said you were going to lead the Company in a Hymn correct?”

“Aye, that’s correct lass,” the old Advisor agreed, his crown of Gentian and Mulberry contrasting vibrantly against his white hair.

“Excellent. Well then after that we can get to the feasting, Beorn you’ll be able to call your animals then,” she continued.

“They are just waiting for my signal,” the Northman said. A crown of Magnolias and Heather settled among his bushy curls.

“Wonderful, then once the feast is done, we will make the offerings; this will be done slightly differently to when I made the offering to Yavanna in Rivendell. We will be using the Bonfire to send the offerings to Aulë and Yavanna,” she explained gesturing to the happily burning Bonfire. “Following the offerings, we will hopefully receive a response from them and then the evenings festivities will come to a close. Any questions?” Billa paused, looking around the group when no one said anything she nodded. “All right then. Let us begin. Everyone please take a seat around the Bonfire. I will begin the First Blessing.”

As the Company, Gandalf and Beorn took their seats around the fire, Billa went to the base of the Stone of Durin and picked up the wooden bowl she had filled with water from the brook earlier that day. Using a brach of Hawthorn, that still had some green leaves attach Billa dipped it into the water before brushing it onto the Stone of Durin. “Seven stones here were placed, to make sacred this earthly space,” she began to intone, following the Circle clockwise she brushed each Dwarf Stone with the hawthorn branch and water.  “Seven stones here by mark, this ring altar of Nature’s Monarch. Beneath the sky, among the wind and rain, and upon the earth we build our sacred rings of stone. Giver of Fruits, Trees, and Grains, we beseech thee, bless this circle.” As she spoke and as the water hit each stone, they began to glow with a cool green light. The ambient magic of the Circle began to buzz with energy and Billa couldn’t help the shiver of pleasure that crawled down her spine. “Six seeds sprouted; three tribes grew. Fallohide, Stoor and Harfoots two. Two for the Fallohides; Holly and Beech as they were the Adventurous and Bold. Two for the Harfoots; Alder and Willow, for they were the Fertile and Protective. And two for the Stoorfolk; Oak and Elder, for they were the Strong and Enduring. Seven stones here were placed, to make sacred this earthly space. Seven stones here by mark, this ring altar of Nature’s Monarch.” Having finished the blessing and reaching the Stone of Durin once more, she placed the branch and – now empty – wooden bowl at its base again. Bowing to the stone, she then turned around and nodded to Balin who began to hum. It didn’t take too long for the other Dwarrow to pick up the tune and soon they were all singing. Billa was mesmerised while they sang, Balin had informed her earlier that the hymn was an old Invocation of Aulë.

To the surprise of everyone present, as the hymn rose to a climax the Bonfire roared and sparked. Its once orange flames taking on a deep red colour, as the hymn came to its conclusion the flames returned to its prior state and everyone was quiet for several moments.

“Well, I think we can say we wern’ expectin’ tha’,” Bofur commented cheerily, breaking the silence.

Billa couldn’t help but laugh at the cheerful Dwarf’s words. “I suppose that is true, now I do believe it is time we ate,” she said smiling at Beorn who whistled lowly. Soon the Circle was filled with his animals who brought platters of food ranging from cream cakes to honeyed lemons and plenty of mead. Billa rejoined the others, taking a seat beside Oín and enjoyed the feasting. The Dwarrow eventually brought out their instruments, or at least those that had survived the Goblin Tunnels and began to play merrily. Billa had decided not to ask where Fíli and Kíli managed to procure their fiddles from, but with a glance at the Grey Wizard who was happily dancing around the Bonfire with Ori, Bofur and Bombur she had her suspicions. Still it wasn’t long before the Dwarrow got her involved in the dancing, and Billa soon found herself being passed between her comrades gaily like the fauntling game of pass the parcel. As the moon rose high in the sky, it was soon time to make the Offerings to Aulë and Yavanna.

The party wound down, and with a few quiet words the Company was standing in a circle around the Bonfire their gifts in hand.

“Now, for this part of the evening’s festivities, we shall each step forward invoke Lord Aulë and Lady Yavanna and make our offerings of the handcrafted gifts and the floral crowns. We shall start with Thorin and go around the circle clockwise,” Billa instructed. “Any questions?” Once she had seen everyone nod in understanding she turned to her left to face Thorin. “Then by all means, please begin the Offerings your majesty.”

Thorin nodded formally, before stepping up to the Bonfire. “We call upon the Stone Father Mahal and his blessed Lady Kaminzabdûna to accept these humble gifts from your pious children. I, Thorin Oakenshield, offer you a handcrafted dagger of my own making, returning to you the Iron used to mold it!” Thorin intone bowing to the Bonfire before tossing in a beautifully crafted but simple dagger, followed shortly by the floral crown.

One by one the Dwarrow followed their King. Balin made an offering of poetry, Dwalin a gift of a beautifully carved stone effigy of both the Valar. Oín offered a poultice of fertility to the Bonfire, while Gloín offered a very impressive sketch of Erebor. Bifur gifted the Valar several intricately whitled statuettes of woodland creatures, Bombur made a huge offering of several dozen fruit cakes to the Bonfire which roared to life dancing in an array of different colours. Bofur had whitled a flute of elderwood and offered that. Dori gave the gift of an elegantly embroidered ‘kerchief, while Nori had weaved together a beautiful grass and reed basket for the Bonded Valar. Fíli made an offering of sophisticated leather bracelets, expertly woven; while his brother Kíli gifted several parchments of his future crafted jewerly to the fire. Ori offered some beautifully knitted mittens, before Beorn stepped forward to make his offerings of his amazing honey cakes and mead. Gandalf made his offering speaking in an unknown tongue and with a secretive little smile before it was finally Billa’s turn. Everyone before her had cast their floral crowns into the fire at the end of their offerings, and so Billa stepped forward.

“To the Eternal Mother Yavanna and her Stone Husband Aulë, I – Billiana Belladonna Baggins of the Shire – Chennad of Yavanna do gift my Baggins Secret Recipe Lemon and Poppyseed Cakes and Honeyed Cream. With my offering I seal the end of the gifting ritual with my ceremonial crown crafted from the Lady’s flora. May these gifts please thee, and grant us your aid in our future endevours,” the copper-haired lass intoned. With the final gift given, the Stones which had been glowing cooly since the First Blessing began to shine brightly while the Bonfire doubled in height. The colours shifting from Orange to Red, to Purple, to Blue, then Green.

“Oh!” Ori cried pointing, drawing the groups attention to the Stone Circle. Suddenly sprouting as if they had always been there around the Stone of Durin was a Hawthorn bush interwoven with Pink Heather and Nasturtium, at the base of the stone grew a Bellflower bush right next to a Rhubarb plant a Rhododendrum shrub and a patch of Tiger Lilies. Then right before their very eyes sprouted a Spirea shrub wrapped around an Oak Leaf Geranium shrub.

“They’ve responded!” Ori cried out in delight. Billa rushed over to examine the plants and couldn’t help but take the warning to heart.

“What does it say Billa?” Gandalf asked as the rest of the Company followed after her.

There are three messages here. Four technically,” she answered. “The Hawthorn, Pink Heather and Nasturtium say: ‘Hope and Good luck for Victory in Battle.’ While the Bellflower speaks of gratitude. But it is also a warning. The Rhubarb offers advice and the Rhododendrum and Tiger Lilies say to beware wealth and pride. The intertwined Spirea and Oak Leaf Geranium speaks of victory in friendship.” Gandalf’s lips turned down in a concerned frown, reflecting the same concern that Billa had in her heart.

“It’s a good omen for what is to come,” Thorin declared earning a cheer from the Company. Billa and Gandalf shared a worried glance but neither spoke of their concerns. The night ended with a toast to the Valar, before they all sought their beds.

Billa stood alone in the Circle, studying the response from the Valar.

“Mother Yavanna, please do not let us fail,” she prayed – begged – aloud. “These Dwarrow deserve a home and a future, just as we your children did when our homeland was lost to us. If there is to be many battles ahead, please lend us your strength to win them.” Having said her piece, the Hobbit-lass took her leave of the Circle and returned to her warm blankets. Worry nagging at her heart.

Unbeknownst to the Hobbit, blooming in the moonlight at the place where she had stood was a bundle of Pink Carnations and Sorrel. An ode to Yavanna’s love for her child, and in its own way a promise.

The next morning Billa woke exhausted, she hadn’t slept particularly well and the ring she wore around her neck was just so loud! She couldn’t exactly hear what it was saying to her either, so that just frustrated her. The fact she could even hear it at all concerned her greatly, and after the warning from Yavanna and Aulë the night before Billa was even more anxious about the journey ahead. The niggling she’d had ever since the Carrock had yet to leave her, but she just couldn’t quite place what it was that had her so anxious. Putting on a brave face, and sunny expression she went about readying herself for their journey. Her hair was getting very long now, so Billa had began to braid it – and thanks to some quick thinking from Bifur who had crafted her a beautiful but practical hair pin – and pin it in a bun at the base of her skull, with only her two Dwarrow braids loose. Dori had been a dear over the days of rest and out of boredom happily mended all of Billa’s travel clothes. Meaning as she got ready for the road ahead, Billa felt almost as good as new; now if only the headache that had begun to grow behind her eyes could leave off, she would be fine. Dressed once more in her jerkin, and Dwarven-made coat, boots, and armed to the teeth, Billa was ready. Taking her pack out of the house she was sure to thank ever animal she saw on her way past.

Once out the front Billa caught sight of the others milling around the fourteen ponies Beorn was lending them. Some were busy tying packs to the ponies while others seemed to still be sorting themselves out. It wasn’t long before they were all mounted and had said their farewells to the skin-changer.

“Take care Little Bunny. The path you tread is a dangerous one,” Beorn had said to her quietly, with a soft pat on the head, before he picked her up to help her mount the pony she had been assigned. Before she could scold him for his manhandling he whispered in her ear. “Beware the gold fever. Dwarves can be greedy and blind, blind to the lives of those they deem lesser than their own. Run at the first sign, and don’t ever look back. Those who fall to the fever are doomed to fail.” Billa stared at Beorn wide eyed, her jaw loose and eyes afraid. “You are welcome back any time Little Bunny, I hope to see you again some day,” the Northman said aloud for the straining ears attempting to eavesdrop. Billa shook her head minutely to regain control over her expression and smiled warmly at the Bear.

“I would be honoured to visit with you again Master Beorn, you are a most gracious host,” she said honestly, though his warning was still at the forefront of her thoughts.

“Yavanna be with you Billiana Baggins, and may she protect you,” the big man farewelled before he turned to speak with Gandalf a little way off.

Eventually the two returned and Beorn glanced around. “It’s best you go now, while you still have the light,” he said.

With a nod of gratitude, Thorin ordered they move out. It was a two-and-a-half-day ride to the edge of the forest and tension had fallen over the Company. Billa had fallen into silence as she contemplated Beorn’s warning and the warning they had received from the Lady and her husband, while the fear of the Orcs held the tongues of the rest. They rode swiftly across the plain and camped the nights without fire and with two people on watch at a time. The relief of her companions was palpable when on the third day, just after noon they reached the Elven Gate. Billa’s headache that had begun to form the morning they left Beorn’s holding, had grown every step closer to the froest they took. Now as she dismounted her pony, she could not help but feel nauseated to her core from the sickly feeling of the forest. Her head pounded in time with her heartbeat, and her gut roiled tulmutously.

“The Elven Gate,” Gandalf stated unnecessarily, “here lies our path through Mirkwood.”

“We’ve seen no sign of the Orcs. We have luck on our side,” Dwalin said, holding the reigns of his pony.

“Set the ponies loose. Let them return to their master,” Gandalf ordered after squinting into the distance to the south, Billa turned to look in the same direction. She smiled slightly when she saw Beorn in his bear-form watching them from a distant ridge. Once her pony had been unburdened, Billa turned towards the forest, and as sick as she felt she approached it.

“This forest feels...sick, as if a disease lies upon it. Is there no way round?” she asked weakly, the closer she got to the trees the more nauseated she felt.

“Not unless we go two hundred miles north, or twice that distance south,” Gandalf remarked even as he followed the path a few feet into the shadows.

“Are you okay Billa?” Ori asked leaving Nori to finish unbuderning the dam’s pony.

Billa considered lying. “You look awful dear, are you unwell?” Dori asked, having heard Ori’s question and studying the hobbit-lass himself. Well lying was out of the question then, Billa mused.

“The forest, it makes me feel nauseous and I have a migraine,” she confessed. “Whatever disease plagues the forest is making me feel equally as sick.”

“Better go see if Oín has anything to help her, Ori,” Dori commented, bustling over to Billa and placing the back of his hand on her forehead before clucking his tongue. “You’ve got the beginning of a fever as well, no wonder you were feeling so cold this morning.”

Ori darted off before bringing Oín back with her. Oín took one look at her and handed her a potion. “That should help with the headache lassie, and if you chew on these it should help with the nausea. Unfortunately, I don’t have anything for Stone Sickness.” The Healer handed her a pouch of dried ginger and dried spearmint leaves.

“Stone Sickness?” Billa asked after downing the potion and grimacing.

“It was the closest thing I could relate what you’re experiencing too,” Ori said sheepishly toying with her Apprentice braid.

“It’s an ailment that overcomes those with strong Stone Sense when they are near rotten stone,” Oín explained gruffly as he examined her quickly. “You seem in fairly good health besides, let me know when you run out of the herbs, I have some more in my pack. I’ll put together another elixir for you when we make camp for the evening.”

“Thank you Oín,” Billa said only to nearly jump out of her skin when Gandalf returned from his examination of the Elven Gate.

“Not my horse!” he cried out, “I need it!” Nori, who had nearly finished unburderning the poor beast sent a miffed little glare at the Wizard as he began to repack the horse.

“You’re not leaving us?” Billa exclaimed in surprise, rushing over to the Wizard.

“I would not do this unless I had to,” the Istar said apologetically, looking between Thorin, Balin and the dejected looking Billa. He studied her for several moments before saying, “you’ve changed, Bilbo Baggins. You’re not the same Hobbit as the one who left the Shire.”

Billa smirked slightly. “Did you ever really expect me to be?” she asked. “I found something on this journey that I’ve never really felt when I was in the Shire.”

“And what was that?” the Wizard asked.

“Somewhere to belong,” she responded. “Well, that and my courage,” she added as an after thought.

“Good. Well, that’s good. You’ll need it,” Gandalf said, with a half smile before he patted her on the shoulder and made for his now re-saddled horse. “I’ll be waiting for you at the overlook, before the slopes of Erebor. Keep the map and key safe. Do not enter that mountain without me,” he said as he passed Thorin, staring at him pointedly before mounting the black stallion. “This is not the Greenwood of old. There is a stream in the woods that carries a dark enchantment.  Do not touch the water.  Cross only by the stone bridge. The very air of the forest is heavy with illusion. It will seek to enter your mind and lead you astray,” he continued, his blue eyes showing his concern as he studied the trees.

“Lead us astray? What does that mean?” Billa muttered, mostly to herself.

“You must stay on the path; do not leave it. If you do, you will never find it again,” he warned before he wheeled the stallion around. He bade his farewell with yet one last warning, “no matter what may come, stay on the path!”

Rain began to fall lightly, despite the sun still shining brightly and Billa felt dismayed at the thought of entering the trees. Still she donned her packs and put the anti-nausea herbs in her pocket after pulling out a bit of ginger to chew.

“Come on. We must reach the mountain before the sun sets on Durin’s Day,” Thorin rallied, leading the way towards the trees. Billa wished she had the same energy as Dwalin with his echoed cry of ‘Durin’s Day! Let’s go!’. Instead, she grit her teeth and with steadfast determination placed one foot in front of the other. She felt a little better when Nori placed himself at her side, matching her pace and sending her an encouraging little wink.

She knew he was worried about her, had been ever since he’d seen her topple over the side of the cliff in the Goblin Tunnels. Billa felt slightly guilty that she hadn’t spent much time with Nori while they had been at Beorn’s, but the disaster that was the discovery of her attraction to Kíli had been most distracting. As soon as she stepped foot under the diseased trees Billa felt the nausea full force and stumbled. She would have fallen face first had it not been for Nori’s agility, catching her and pulling her into his chest. Billa felt like a child the way she clung to Nori, but after a few lungfuls of his familiar spicy musk she felt a little more in control and they began to follow after the others.

Billa had completely missed the jealous chocolate eyes that had observed the whole thing. But Nori on the other hand had not, he had met the youngest Prince’s glare with a challenging gaze of his own. Nori felt nothing but platonic love for his akrâgnana’ith but that did not mean he would simply allow the Prince to do as he pleased. Billa had had enough menfolk play with her affections in her lifetime, and Nori wasn’t about to let anything happen to her now he had finally been able to claim her in the traditions of his people.

Nori had to admit to himself he had grown more possessive of Billa since he had seen her fall off the cliff. He had been keeping a close eye on her from the time they had been dropped off at the Carrock right up until they were safely ensconced in the Magrûn’s homestead. Not that she’d noticed, having been half dead on her feet with exhaustion.  She also hadn’t been eating properly either, he’d noted but considering their experiences on the road since the Mountains he’d figured it was understandable.

While they had been at the Magrûn’s homestead, he had let her have some privacy but had watched over her from a distance. He had also requested Ori’s help as his sister spent a good deal of time with the hobbit. Since leaving however, he could see she was unwell.

Something was wrong, but he had been unable to figure out what was causing it. He didn’t think it was just a reaction to the diseased forest either, though he was sure that wasn’t helping matters. Still, he would keep a watchful eye on her as he always had, and Mahal-damn the Princely-terror if he thought Nori was going to let him have his way.

The days spent under the tainted canopy of Mirkwood were long and arduous. The gloom of the forest made it difficult to track the path, and the air was thick and heavy. Billa spent most of the time hanging on to Nori’s coat and allowing him to guide her, as she did her best to limit her connection to the earth. Even though she was wearing thick soled leather boots, and thick woollen socks gifted to her by Ori after she’d confessed to being always cold; the illness of the earth was all consuming. Billa barely was able to sleep between the loud unintelligible whispering of the peculiar ring she’d found in the creature’s caves, and the screaming of the trees.

“-lbo, -ilbo, Bilbo!”

Billa startled at Nori’s whisper shout. The company had set up yet another fireless camp on the road once more, and Billa had been dozing against one of the trees getting what rest she could.

Startled green eyes met concerned marshy green. “Nori!” she breathed, hand over her heart as she settled her frayed nerves.

“I brought you supper,” he whispered, indicating the portions of brown bread and cheese he had in his hands.

She smiled weakly at him. “Thank you akrâgnadad,” she murmured, accepting the small portion. Nori watched her worriedly as she nibbled at the bread.

“You really need to eat more Bil,” he said quietly, sitting himself opposite her. “Since we entered the forest you’ve barely eaten or slept.”

“It’s this place,” she grimaced. “The trees are constantly screaming; they are in so much pain. They are being suffocated by the poison seeping through the very earth.”

“Do you know what’s causing it?” the Thief asked.

Billa shook her head minutely. “I can’t understand them, so I don’t know what I can do to help them,” she said. “I’m no LandHealer but I would have tried if we had the time.”

Nori frowned, outwardly troubled. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“What you’ve been doing has been plenty helpful,” Billa said with a small, grateful smile. “I wouldn’t have got as far as I have if I hadn’t had you supporting me.”

“You really need to sleep though,” he said, “you can’t keep going on the way you have.”

Billa smiled sadly. “I know.”

“Set up your bedroll between Ori and I tonight,” he almost pleaded. “At least let me try to help a little.”

After a moment’s consideration she agreed. “Maybe being surrounded by familiar scents with help me sleep.”

It turned out that sleeping between Nori and Ori did help her sleep, if only marginally. She never slept for more than a few hours, but she was getting more than she’d been getting before, so it became the new arrangement. The further into the trees they went the more muffled their screams became, but the louder the whispers of the ring. Billa was beginning to regret not speaking of her find to the Grey Wizard before he had left them. With the better sleep, Billa was able to function a little more inderpendently which had eased some of Nori’s anxiety.

It was just in time, in Billa’s opinion when she reflected on the quest later, as after two weeks of following the Elven Path the Company finally came across the stone bridge Gandalf had spoken of.

“We found the Bridge!” came the cry from Fíli, but it soon became clear that unfortunately for them all it was impassable.

“What do we do now?” Ori whispered to Billa who had just returned from having a look over the edge. It took her a moment to answer, as her mind had grown foggy having been so close to the water.

“Not sure,” she murmured back.

“We could try to swim it,” Bofur commented.

“Didn’t you hear what Gandalf said?” Thorin called forward, approaching from the rear to have a look for himself. “A dark magic lies upon this forest. The waters of this stream are enchanted!”

“Doesn’t look very enchanting to me,” Bofur murmured drily to Billa who rolled her eyes.

“We must find another way across,” Thorin ordered. The Company spread out a way but kept each other in sight as they searched for another way across.

“These vines look strong enough,” Kíli called from just downstream, but before he could test them, he was ordered back.

“Kíli,” came the firm reprimand from his Uncle. “We send the lightest first.”

It took Billa all of a second to connect the dots, and she almost went to object. But after another moment to consider it, she saw the sense of it. Puffing out her cheeks she sent a petulant glare at Thorin but left the bridge and headed for the vines. The vines were not very stable, but they were thankfully sturdy. Unfortunately, there were at least two instances where her height worked against her and she nearly fell into the river below. Still she managed to get across.

Sitting on the otherside, she couldn’t help but say, “something is not right, not right at all!” She was about to call out to the others to stay where they were, but when she looked up the words died on her lips. The idiots had immediately started on the vines after her. Trying to shake the fog from her brain, she slapped her face a few times. Unfortunately, in doing so she missed the very moment Bombur succumbed to the Sleeping Enchantment on the waters.

“Bombur!” Bofur cried.

“He’s fallen asleep!” Gloín exclaimed.

“The Enchantment!” Billa shouted, “it’s a sleeping spell! Hurry up and get across. We’ll be able to fish Bombur from this bank.” As idiotic as her Dwarrow companions could be sometimes, and ever though they complained she had to give them credit. At least they did as she told them. Once Bofur, Bifur and Dori had made it across the two Ur’s and Dori fished the sleeping Dwarf from the water.

A bright flash of colour caught Billa’s eye just as Thorin landed on the riverbank, turning her head she spotted a gleaming White Hart. Movement drew her gaze back to the King in Exile who had a bow drawn, arrow fitted to the string.

“What are you doing!” she whispered harshly, just as the Dwarrow fired the arrow which nearly hit the Hart. “You shouldn’t have done that. It’s bad luck.”

“I don’t believe in luck. We make our own luck,” he retorted, gruffly. Billa recoiled away from the golden gleam that crossed the Dwarf King’s eye, her own eyes wide with shock.

“Make a stretcher, quickly. We move on as soon as we can,” he ordered harshly.  Nobody said anything, though it seemed a number of the Company were surprised by the order. Soon they were back following the path.

Days passed, and the air grew thicker the further into the forest they trekked. It became very hard to tell which was up versus down, left versus right, so it shouldn’t have surprised Billa at all when it became apparent that they had lost the path. Trying to find it again only served to make them get lost faster and began an argument. 

Billa – exhausted – had taken a seat to try and ground herself. She supposed she should be grateful that the tree’s screaming was so muffled by this point it sounded more like a neverendering moaning. The equally neverending headache really made no difference to her either, with how difficult it was to think through the poisonous fog in her mind. She had even grown used to the whispers of the ring now too, though it still made her anxious.

“But which way is east?” Oín complained loudly, “we’ve lost the sun!”

Billa’s eyes widened. “The sun. We have to find the sun. Up there. We need to-” Green eyes locked on a lone patch of light piercing through the canopy. Vision tunnelling, Billa began to climb the tree whose roots she had been sat on. As a result, she missed Thorin calling out about being watched.

As Billa climbed, she didn’t notice the masses of thickening spiderwebs all around her nor the ones she agitated. Desperation seemed to fill her suddenly and she sped up until her head broke through the canopy into the fresh air beyond. The spell of the forest was broken, and aside from the headache Billa’s mind was clear. She breathed deeply, smiling as a flock of blue butterflies took off from the leaves around her. The sight of the sun setting in the west, had set everything awash with a rosy hue and she couldn’t help but enjoy the beautiful sight. She smiled, a laugh bubbling from her lips before she began to spot landmarks.

 “I- I can see a lake! And a river. And the Lonely Mountain. We’re almost there!” she called down. When there was no response, she frowned slightly. “Can you hear me? I know which way to go! Hello?” Ducking her head under the canopy she tried to spot the Dwarrow, but a thumping noise caught her attention and she popped her head back up.

In the distance, the trees were moving haphazardly under the weight of something approaching. It didn’t take Billa long to figure that its trajectory was going to bring it directly at their position. Anxious, Billa climbed down the tree a little bit and peered around cautiously. Unfortunately, as she began to move forward her foot caught one of the spiderwebs that had been concerning her much earlier in the journey under the trees. Tripping over the web, she tumbled several feet and she let out a strangeled cry as she bounced painfully off several branches. She finally was able to catch herself on a branch with a hefty grunt, she was going to be bruised all over.  Groaning she tried to pull herself up with battered limbs when she spotted movement. Looking up her eyes widened, and a scream caught in her throat as she spied a massive eight-legged horror. The spider - which was almost larger than Beorn in his Bear form – opened its fangs and hissed. Frozen in fear, Billa slipped from the branch only to land on her back in an equally large spideweb. Stuck to the sticky web, Billa barely had a chance to unsheath her Elven blade or scream before the spider was on her wrapping her up tightly and she lost consciousness.

Billa woke up groggily, just in time to see the monstrous head of the spider reaching for her with its jaws agape. In that moment she had never been more grateful that she had unsheathed her blade when she had as she swung it with all her strength breaking the web that cocooned her. The Elven blade split the sticky substance with ease and Billa was able to thrust the blade into the creature’s abdomen, flinging it over the edge of the branch she was lain on. Not even waiting to hear it crash to the forest floor, the copper-haired hobbit lass was already ripping the cocoon from her body. Once she was free, she immediately took stock of the situation. She spotted Dwarrow-shaped web cocoons hanging from branches above her, and her pointed ears picked up the sound of numerous feet. Hiding behind the trunk of the tree she was standing in, she closed her eyes and held her breath as another spider climbed up the other side.

Crouching down, Billa considered her options. As she was thinking, a peculiar thing happened. The leather strap she had the ring hanging on snapped, and it was only thanks to her quick reflexes that she caught the ring. She was interrupted from her examination of the snapped leather by the sound of another spider, and unthinkingly she donned the ring. By some miracle the spider which had been making straight for her passed her by as if she was invisible.

The world around her was grey and unstable, and Billa felt quite ill. A fact made so much worse when she realised, she could suddenly understand the horrendous creatures crawling around her.

“Kiilll theemm. Kiill theemm.”

“Eat them now, nice and runny.”

“Their hide is tough. There is good juice inside.”

“Stick it again! Stick it again! Finish it off!”

Billa watched as a group of four spiders, the one’s that had been speaking surrounded one of the cocoons she was certain were her companions. It kicked rather violently startling the spiders.

“Ahh! The meat’s alive and kicking!”

“Kill them, kill them now. Let us feast.”

Billa began to formulate a plan as the spider’s began a skin-crawling chant of ‘Feast, feast. Feast!’ Having determined that she was invisible to her foes, Billa began to stalk her prey swords unsheathed and ready. She was forced to duck to avoid a quick moving spider, after a moment’s thought she picked up a nearby loose branch and tossed it as far as she could.

The spiders took the bait and rushed off in the direction of the falling branch “What is it? What is it? Kill it! Feast! Feast!”

All but one. It had crept up to the largest coccon - Bombur, she thought. Just as it was getting ready to wrap its hideous maw around the wriggling coccon, Billa snuck up and struck it direct on its thorax. The spider spun around quickly, hissing and screeching in pain. As it was unable to see her, the hobbit-lass took the opportunity to continue slicing into the horrendous creature.

“Curses! Where is it? Where is it?!”

Feeling a little mischievous all of a sudden and needing a breather from the horrible shade realm she was in she slipped the ring off her finger.

“Over here,” she said waving, before she drove her Elven blade directly into its head.

“It stings! Stings!” The creature shrieked before it fell off the blade and to the forest floor. Dead.

“That’s not a bad name actually,” Billa murmured looking over the black stained weapon. “Sting.” Billa shoved the ring deep into her pocket after making sure she was in the clear for the moment, before she began to cut down the Dwarrow.

Billa had to admit the sight of the Dwarrow cursing and yelling as they were woken up by the fall, cheered her. It was proof of life.

“Where’s Billa?” Bofur cried out, having been one of the first to begin ripping himself free of the cocoon.

“I’m up here!” she called only to be forced to defend herself as a spider leapt at her from the branch beneath her and pinned her underneath it. Thrusting the new-ly named blade up, she caught the beast in the thorax. Unfortunately, the dead weight of the monstrous creature was enough to drag her off the branch and to the forest floor.

Billa groaned, as she removed herself from underneath the dead arachnid only to spot a glimmer of gold. She was beginning to wonder if the ring was trying to escape her, when she bent down and picked it up again. She would be the first to say there was something dreadfully wrong with it, but that was all the more reason to keep it safe until she could next speak with the Wizard about it. A nearby sound startled the young hobbit, and once again unthinking she had put on the ring. From the questionable safety of the shadowed realm of the ring, Billa watched at a red haired elleth saved Kíli from the jaws of a spider her heart in her throat. It became clear quickly that the Elves were not there to rescue them by the immediate hostility of the blonde-haired leader.

While the Elves disarmed and unburdened her comrades – which if Fíli’s arsenal was anything to go by was going to take quite some time – Billa scouted the area surrounding the spider’s nest. She was surprised to find her pack, untouched not but several hundred feet away from the nest. Not planning on questioning whatever spirit had taken pity on her, Billa donned her pack and continued searching. Not moving out of earshot of her friends or the hostile Elves. Along the way she found several things of the Company’s Bofur’s tobacco pouch, Oín’s medicinal satchel, and Kíli’s Craft Journal. Unfortunately, she didn’t have a chance to look much further, because she heard the voice of the blonde order the scouting party to move out. Racing back to where the Elves had captured her friends, Billa followed behind as closely as she dared. Careful not to give away her presence to the ever-watchful Elves.

Chapter Text

"Khuzdul"

"Greenspeech"

"Sindarin"

" Iglishmêk"

The journey from the spiders’ nest was arduous for Billa. She was essentially alone in a shadowed realm and had been unable to risk sleeping else she would miss the next move of her comrades’ captors. By the time the scouting party and their unknown shadow reached the Halls of the ElvenKing Thranduil, Billa was exhausted and nearly starved. She had been rationing what little food she still had on her for the journey but there hadn’t been much left to begin with. It had taken two days at the pace the Elven scouting party had set to reach the ElvenKing’s Halls, but as soon as they had crossed into the Halls Billa lost the party. She had been cut off from them by a mass of onlookers who had cut in front of her and blocked her ability to follow after them and soon she’d been caught up in a swath of Elves.

The labyrinthine nature of the Halls meant that it took several days of hiding out of sight – with and without the ring on – to glean any news about her comrades. Billa had thankfully found the Kitchens on the first day, and every so often was able to nick a few morsels to sate her empty stomach. Though she was careful never to take too much, else the cooks discover her thieving. She was still starved, and incredibly sleep-deprived, as she was only able to sneak the occasional nap before she had to move on from one hidey hole to the next. A week of little sleep and little food later, Billa had found the storeroom where they had stashed the Dwarrow’s weapons, packs and other belongings – with the exception of Orcrist she noted mildly.

Billa had been shell shocked at the sight, why had the Elves just stashed them in such an out of the way place? Wouldn’t it have been logical to have kept them closer to the Guards room?

Still Billa added it to the map she had taken to crafting so that she would be able to find her way back to it once she found her companions.

After another week or so of hiding in barely used cupboards and sneaking about the Halls, mapping them Billa finally had some luck.  After following a pair of guards down a little used hall, Billa stumbled upon the Throne Room.

She had been forced to bite her lips till they bled to stop from marching over to the idiot of a Dwarrow who was the rightful King of Erebor, and kicking him in the shin. Hard. The lunatic had riled the ElvenKing with his bravado so much that any chance at negotiating terms of release had been lost. Quite viciously too, if Billa was being honest. The ElvenKing was hardly innocent of course, but she had thought better of Thorin.

“Stay here if you will, and rot. A hundred years is a mere blink in the life of an elf. I am patient. I can wait,” Thranduil said, returning to his throne. “Take him away. Put him in isolation, perhaps if the others are removed from his presence, they will be more willing to talk.”

Billa frowned deeply. Thranduil was not very diplomatic, she mused. Still she didn’t want to miss her chance, so she skirted around the throne carefully and ran after the Elven Guards who had blindfolded Thorin and were leading him away. Creeping behind the Guards at a distance, she sneered at their derogatory conversation about the Dwarrow in Sindarin. If Billa had been unsure if Thorin could understand Elvish or not, it was answered by the way he tensed up during their conversation. It was quite the trek into the bowels of the Halls passed many empty cells and deep into the dungeons before the Guards stopped. Billa had stopped just around the corner and after peaking around it took note of which cell Thorin had been unceremoniously shoved into. She took the opportunity to take her folded map-in-progress and add the new location on to it, while she kept watch of the cell.

As much as she wanted to let Thorin know she was alive, and that she was free and capable of liberating them. And how she desperately wanted to see Nori again, and sweet Ori, and Bifur, and Kíli – she didn’t want to get caught and lose all chance of helping save her friends. After three days of sitting in a dark corner of the corridor – in the shadowed realm of the ring – Billa had finally determined the Guard’s schedule. So she waited, as the Guard that brought Thorin his twice daily meal came down the corridor, Billa stood up on wobbly feet. She had had no food, water, and barely any sleep over the three days she had staked out Thorin’s cell. She tottered down the hall quietly matching the Guard’s pace, and as soon as he had opened the cell door, she darted in. Barely missing kicking the tray the grumpy ellon shoved in behind her.

“You’re Dinner your Majesty,” he sneered at Thorin, who despite being dirty and rumpled still appeared every inch the King he was supposed to be. Right up until he spit at the Elf and cursed at him in Khuzdul that was. Billa waited for quite some time before she made herself known to the Dwarrow.

“Who’s there?” he demanded gruffly, looking up suspiciously.

“It’s me,” she whispered, “Billa.” Not risking taking the ring off just yet.

“Billana?” Thorin breathed, looking around eyes wide. “Where are you?”

“Just near the door,” she whispered back, “I’m currently invisible, since I didn’t want to get caught.”

“You’re truly here?” Hearing the disbelief in the King’s voice, Billa frowned and after one last glance at the cell door to check the coast was clear she wriggled the ring off and pocketed it. “Billana!” he gasped, as she flickered into view.

Billa figured she looked a mess, but she would never know just how much of an understatement that had been. Her pale skin was pasty white, almost grey and there were deep purple rings beneath her glassy green eyes. Where she used to be plump but toned, she was now skin and bone and her once fitted clothes hung off her frame like over-sized rags. Her lips were dry and cracked, and her voice had been hoarse from disuse.

“Hullo Thorin,” she whispered, unable to speak any louder from lack of water.

“Mahal Billana, what have they done to you?” he demanded rushing over to her to study her, his hands gentle as he moved her chin this way and that.

“The Elves haven’t done anything to me,” she answered hoarsely. “They don’t even know I am here, not really.”

Thorin’s eyes were disbelieving. “Then why do you look like a ghost?”

“Because that is what I have had to become to remain unseen,” she responded with a weak smirk.

“Have you seen the others?” he asked.

“No, you are the first I’ve seen since I lost you after entering the Halls. I spent three days watching the Guards to make sure I wouldn’t be caught when I made contact with you,” she reported, swaying on her feet slightly.

“Mahal you need to eat Billa,” he admonished catching her swaying form easily and picking her up much to her embarrassment. He walked back to the corner of the cell and set her down before going and retrieving the tray of food the Guard had brought along with a pitcher of water. “Eat Billa, drink something. Then sleep. The Guards won’t be back for several hours yet, not until they bring me breakfast in the morning.”

“I couldn’t,” she said, eyes wide when it became clear he was offering her his meal.

“Eat Billa,” he ordered. “Then sleep.”

Billa couldn’t deny the firm tone Thorin used, and delicately picked up a slice of the baked bread from the tray. After the first bite, she suddenly felt ravenous but forced herself to consume the bread slowly else she be sick. She managed a few meagre spoonfuls of the weak broth before her stomach began to protest. Thorin seemed hardly satisfied by her attempt but did not press the matter, and that concerned her far more than his order had. How dreadful she must look.

After several much-needed sips of water, Billa leaned back against the wall of the cell. She had left her pack in the unguarded storeroom she had found the others’ belongings in before she had followed after the Guards the day she had found the Throne Room, so she had nothing on her but what she had in her pockets and on her belts. Wrapping herself in her thick coat, Billa curled up into the wall the last thing she heard before drifting into blessed unconsciousness was the quiet voice of Thorin.

“Sleep well child, Mahal knows you need it.”

Green eyes blinked blearily as Billa slowly began to wake. It took her several long moments to remember where she was, only for her to startle so violently that she struck her head against the stone wall of the cell.  She’d been nestled against the broad back of the Dwarrow King-in-Exile, who had upon feeling movement rolled away and sat up. He was watching her with concerned eyes as she hissed and rubbed the tender spot.

“Are you alright?” he asked, she nodded in reply; as she was still trying to get her bearings.

Sitting up slowly, Billa glanced around. The cell was gloomy and cold, with only the light of a flickering torch up the corridor keeping them from being in complete darkness. There was a new tray of untouched food by the door, that caught Billa’s eye and she found herself growing anxious.

“How long was I asleep?” she queried; her voice still hoarse from disuse.

“All night and nearly all day,” Thorin answered, standing up and going to retrieve the tray.

“What? Why didn’t you wake me?”

Thorin returned to where she sat in the darkest corner of the cell and settled the tray between them as he retook his seat.

“I don’t think I could have if I had tried,” he confessed. “You slept like the dead.”

“What if I had been seen?” Billa hissed, her anxiety crawling up her spine and settling in her chest.

“You were not,” he responded simply. “I simply sat in front of you as you slept to hide you from view, and when I sought sleep myself, I remained that way.”

Billa blinked. Her anxiety was still screaming at her for the stupidity of letting her guard down, but she found herself surprised by Thorin’s answer. “That still doesn’t answer why you didn’t at least try?”

“You needed the sleep, Billa,” he said firmly. “From the looks of you when you first arrived, you looked like you hadn’t slept in months.”

Billa grimaced and averted her gaze. “That’s because I haven’t, well not really anyway,” she muttered.

“And that is exactly why I let you sleep,” he retorted. “Now eat something. They’ll be bringing Dinner soon, and I want you ready to leave when they come,” he ordered, pushing the tray of dried fruits, nuts and bread towards her. “Can’t have you trapped in here like the rest of us.”

Deciding not to argue, the hobbit-lass began to pick at the food. “I still haven’t found the others yet, so I haven’t really thought about how I am going to get you all out of here,” she said after several moments of eating in silence.

“I vaguely remember where they are keeping the others, but I only know it from the Throne Room,” Thorin offered.

Billa’s face brightened up a bit, some life coming back into her eyes. “Really?”

Thorin looked at her bewildered. “Yes?”

Distracted from the food, Billa hurried rifled through her pockets for her makeshift map. “Do you think you could show me on this?” she asked shoving the crumpled parchment at the confused Dwarrow.

It didn’t take him long to realise what it was. “You, my dear Hobbit, are a treasure,” he remarked, eyes taking in the roughly drawn map of the Halls.

“I do what I can,” she responded with a slight but no doubt impish smile.

The two fell into discussion about where the others were likely being held, before they began brainstorming how Billa could spring them from their cells. “I don’t know Thorin. Even though I know where your weapons are, we’d get caught and be right back at square one again within moments if we just stormed the front gate.”

“Have you a better idea?” he demanded, grumbling slightly.

“I’ll think of something,” she reassured him. “First let me find the others, then I’ll work on figuring out how to get you lot out of here.” Billa’s ear twitched as they caught the faint sound of footsteps approaching from the nearby staircase.  “The Guard’s coming,” she whispered frantically. Thorin handed her back the newly marked map and glanced over his shoulder.

“You best make yourself invisible or whatever it is you’ve been doing to go unseen then,” he ordered gruffly. Billa grimaced but nodded, reaching into her breast pocket and fingering the ring. As soon as it slipped onto her finger, she flickered from Thorin’s sight and she was once again surrounded by the unearthly cold of the shadow realm.

“One day you’ll have to tell me how you do that,” he commented thoughtfully, before the footsteps of the Guard sounded nearer. “Hurry,” he said, “you don’t want to miss your chance.”

Billa silently agreed and hurried over to the cell door, careful to keep herself from being in the way of it’s opening trajectory. “I’ll come back once I’ve found the others,” she whispered, as Thorin settled himself in the corner she’d been asleep in not long before.

“Don’t worry about me,” he said lowly, “just figure out how to get us out of here.”

All chance of response was halted by the arrival of the Elven Guard scheduled to bring Thorin Dinner. As soon as the door was cracked open, Billa slipped through and under the ellon’s arms before she hurried out of the way. Pressing herself against the wall a few feet up the corridor, she considered waiting and saying goodbye to Thorin but realised he’d only reprimand her for her sensibilities so instead she took of down the hall on silent feet making for the Throne Room.

After the heart attack that had Billa worried that the ring’s invisibility was flawed somehow, she finally made her way through the Halls to the East Dungeons. Billa had been shocked when she’d been sneaking by Thranduil in the Throne Room and he had spoken out, thinking he had seen her. Thankfully the address had been for the red-haired Captain of the Guard that Billa had recognised from the scouting party. After eavesdropping on the strangest conversation, she had ever heard – and one that cemented the thought in her mind that Thranduil was a selfish King – she had been thankfully unimpeded the rest of the way.

Unfortunately for her, she had reached the most difficult part.

Thorin had been unable to give her directions to the specific cells the others were being kept in. So, it was Billa spent all night and nearly the entirety of the day after searching the East Dungeons. The Dungeons were – in Billa’s opinion – ridiculously large, so it was quite by chance when she finally stumbled across Nori’s cell!

“Nori!” she breathed. After checking the hall for any signs of Guards, Billa took the ring off and approached the cell door. “Nori,” she called out quietly.

The Thief had been dozing but startled awake at her call. “Bilbo?” he exclaimed, looking about frantically. Bleary marsh green eyes landed on her, only to widen at the sight. “Bilbo!” he breathed, scrambling up from the reed mat that was his bed and stumbling across the small cell. He reached through the bars and caught her face in his warm hands, and Billa could only lean into the familiar touch. Her own hands rising to cup his, and eyes falling shut. After several long moments where Nori drank in the sight of the ill-looking Hobbit before him, he finally seemed to believe she was there. “I thought you lost,” he murmured, “when Bofur brought it up that you were gone, I-”

“I couldn’t let them see me, else I would have been captured too,” she said by way of explanation, opening her eyes and gazing at him apologetically. “There was no way to let you know I was alive, and unharmed while we were in the forest. And then as soon as we entered the Halls, I lost you all. It’s taken me two weeks to find the Throne Room alone, and I found Thorin because of it.”

“You know where they’ve taken him?”

“I do, they have him in isolation in the smaller dungeon in the West wing of the Palace,” she answered. “You’re the first of the Company I’ve found otherwise.”

“Bombur, Fíli, Balin and Gloín are just up this corridor, they have us spaced out with two empty cells between occupied cells,” Nori informed her. “I don’t know where Dori and Ori are, or the nuisance of a Guard Captain. Oín and Kíli are being held elsewhere too, with Bifur and Bofur. They’ve got us spread out over three separate corridors.”

Billa gently removed herself from Nori’s hands and sat down opposite the cell door, the Thief mirroring her actions on the other side. Pulling out her map, she began to note down what Nori had said. “Do you know if each of the corridor’s link up with one another?”

“I don’t, no,” Nori confessed iritatedly. “They managed to find my hidden lockpick,” he said, gesturing to his loose and unbraided hair and unstyled beard.

“Don’t worry about it,” she reassured him, leaning forward and taking his hand through the bars. “I’ll find the others, and I’ll figure a way to get you out. I promise.” She squeezed his hand comfortingly, with a small but warm smile. Billa knew just how much Nori hated dungeons. And although the Eastern Dungeons were far brighter and seemed to be used with a higher frequency then the cells Thorin had been placed in, she didn’t want him locked up for longer than necessary to find a way out. Nori didn’t do well in confined spaces he had no control over. She was only grateful that he wasn’t completely isolated.

Nori studied her with a concerned frown. “You need to look after yourself too Bil,” he stated adamantly. “You can’t go creeping around if you’re half dead on your feet! You’re more likely to get caught that way.”

Billa rolled her eyes fondly but had to admit he had a point. Glancing up and down the corridor she considered the hallway for a moment. “Alright akrâgnadad,” she said sighing. “I have a way to remain invisible to the elves, would it stop you from worrying if I rested near you under the spell?”

The tension in Nori’s shoulders eased slightly, giving her an answer even before he spoke. “As long as you won’t get caught, it would make me feel better to know that you’ve had some sleep and something to eat. You look awful.”

“Gee, thanks Nori,” she retorted drolly, as much as she knew what he said was true. “I have eaten – recently, and I’ve had sleep,” she said, averting her eyes slightly. It wasn’t a lie exactly, just a stretch of the truth.

“Well you certainly don’t look like it,” he responded sardonically. “Anyway, you have a good few hours before the next patrol will come through. The Guards come through thrice a day and we get fed twice, but it’s usually servants who bring us our meals. But we still have a lot of time to ourselves, so if you’re going to sleep now’s the best time. We’ve already had Supper and the next patrol won’t be for four hours or so. I’ll wake you before they come so you can work your invisibility magic.”

Glancing around the hallway, Billa had to admit she was tired. Exhausted actually, she had grown used to it over the last month in Mirkwood but still sleep was a good idea. “Alright,” she agreed, laying herself down and curling into the bars of Nori’s cell. The smaller she made herself the easier it was to feel a modicum of safety. She fell asleep to Nori running his hands through her matted curls and humming softly.

Over the following few days Billa fell into a routine. She would sleep outside Nori’s cell with him watching over her until just before the midnight patrol did their rounds, then she would begin searching for the others. The Thief had been correct when he had said that Bombur, Fíli, Balin and Gloín had been scattered up the long corridor a minimum of at least two empty cells between them. Though Fíli had been kept the furthest away from any of the others. A few corridors up from Nori was where she found the next group. To Billa’s relief both Ori, Dori and Bofur were not kept too far from each other and had been able to at least see each other. Dwalin, Bifur and Oín had been found next, and while Billa was happy to see her companions safe and relatively unharmed over the days she had been searching she had not seen hide nor hair of Kíli and she was beginning to panic.

Nori could see it too. He’d confronted her the night before about it, and while he had also admitted to being concerned for the Prince’s safety, he hadn’t understood why she was so panicked. And as much as she had wanted to tell him, the words wouldn’t come out.

After searching yet another empty corridor Billa felt ready to cry, her frustration and panic had been made worse by the fact that she had had to begin looking for an escape route for them. She’d come up with two plausible plans, but she still needed to test them to see which would work better. She was just coming back from the Guardroom where she’d been eavesdropping on the Guards in hope of hearing something useful when she found Kíli. The tears she’d been holding back began to drip down her cheeks as she hurried over to the cell. It was the furthest away from the others by far but had in some ways been closer than expected, having been located down a stairwell – and really, had these Wood Elves never heard of bannisters? – not too far from Bombur’s cell that led to the Guardroom and then beyond that the Cellar.

She ripped the ring off her finger and flickered into view startling the raven-haired Prince-In-Exile from his bored lounging.

“Billa!” he exclaimed, keeping his voice quiet as he scrambled to his feet and made his way over to the bars. His eyes had brightened upon recognising her, only to darken troubled as he took in her appearance, and her tears. “What’s wrong?”

Billa chuckled as she wiped away her tears suddenly feeling a thousand times better than she had felt for weeks. It was like all the sleep deprivation and minor starvation just melted away as she drank in the sight of the youngest Dwarrow, unharmed and alive. In her panic she was beginning to fear the worst. 

“Nothing,” she answered her voice a little wobbly, “I’ve finally found you. I’ve been searching for weeks.” She was gripping the bars of his cell tightly in an effort not to reach out for him. If she hadn’t been so relieved, Billa would have been mortified by her thoughts.

“It’s good to see you,” he said warmly his eyes gleaming with relief. “We were all worried when you weren’t captured with us. I had feared you had been caught by the spiders again – or worse.” Billa missed the slight tension in the Prince’s shoulders as he explained.

“I wasn’t thankfully, but I could not reveal myself to you either. Otherwise I would have been captured too,” she answered, brushing her tears away embarrassed. “I’ve finally found you all though, so I can now work on figuring out how to get you all out of here.”

“And you say your not a burglar,” he teased with a broad – and gorgeous - smile, “here you are saying that you plan to steal us out from right under the ElvenKing’s nose.” His eyes still showing concern.

Billa flushed at the teasing. “I’m no burglar, Kíli. But the ElvenKing had no right detain us. He certainly needs to be taught a lesson in common courtesy and manners,” she retorted huffily, eliciting a genuine laugh from the Dwarrow before her. And didn’t that sound just divine, she thought, but where have I heard that before –

“Well maybe one day you will be able to teach him,” Kíli teased, winking.

Billa’s face flushed bright red as a tomato. “I should hope not!” she squeaked averting her gaze down, even as Kíli began laughing softly.

“How are the others?” he asked, taking pity on her. “Fíli? Thorin?”

“They are all well, Thorin is being held in Isolation over in the West Dungeon after another meeting with the ElvenKing. The others are all in this Dungeon just up the stairs and to the left,” she answered, her cheeks still slightly pink.

“I had gathered as much, sometimes the guards forget I’m here when they walk by and are quite the gossips,” he responded with a slight frown. “I think there must be a way to the West Dungeon from the Guardsroom, because the servants that bring my meal always have a second tray.”

Billa’s eyes lightened at that news. “That is really helpful, I’ll have to add it to my list of things to check out,” she said, just before she heard the faint sound of footsteps. Turning her head sharply, she listened for a moment a curse leaving her lips when realised they were far closer than she had initially thought. “I’ve got to go,” she apologised, her eyes sorrowful as she turned back to Kíli. “There’s someone coming.”

Kíli’s expression saddened but he still smiled at her. “Go then, be safe. And maybe when you can, come and visit again?” he asked sheepishly. “It gets kinda lonely down here.”

Billa smiled brightly – Kíli wanted her to come and visit him! – and nodded. “Of course, I’ll keep you updated on my progress.”

Kíli’s smile relaxed and grew warm. “Thank you Billa, you best be off now.”

And as much as she wished she didn’t have to, Billa knew she needed to leave. With a nod and a small wave of farewell, she rushed back the way she came. Putting the ring on as she went and disappearing from sight once more.

Kíli frowned deeply after Billa left, watching the space she’d disappeared from for several long moments before he returned to his ‘casual’ lounging in his cell. He’d been an absolute mess when he had found out she hadn’t been captured with them. He had hidden it behind his usual prankster mask, as he hadn’t wanted to alert the Elves to there being something wrong. But his brother had noticed, and then they’d been split up. So whatever comfort Kíli could have gleaned from being near his brother was lost.

As the weeks had passed, he had been struggling against the dark thoughts that would whisper to him in the silence. That Billa was dead. That if he hadn’t have been the idiot that had been snuck up on by a spider, he could have done something instead of needing to be rescued like some damsel in distress. Each thought was worse than the one before; often focused on what had killed her. The spiders, starvation, the Elves.  

It had been a miracle when she had flickered into sight before him, and had he not known he was awake he would have thought it a dream. The sight of her had filled him with relief and horror in the same moment as he took in the sight of the nearly grey-skinned hobbit. Her once shining curls a mass of matted knots and tangles, and her lovely green eyes wet with tears. She was skin and bone; her once fitted clothes he’d admired her in many a time hanging off of her like an over-sized sack.

He cursed at himself silently – glaring broodingly at the pair of guards that wandered passed his cell ignoring him that had interrupted his time with Billa – if only he could help her! He slammed his clenched fist into the floor beside him, cursing aloud in his mother tongue. He didn’t know why he was so concerned, but Mahal help the person that stood between him and Billa once he was free. His hobbit deserved to be happy and healthy, not a shade of the person she was sneaking about a hostile kingdom in an attempt to free him and their companions.

“Mahal help her,” he prayed aloud. The sooner they were free, the sooner he’d be able to protect her.

Billa had finally done it! She knew how she was going to free her Dwarves. Thorin had been somewhat impressed by the idea she had come up with and had agreed it was a much better idea than his ‘storm the gates’. And hadn’t that been an interesting conversation, Thorin had complimented. Not once but twice. It had been completely bizarre.

She had even figured out when. She’d been in the Cellar looking into her escape plan when she’d overheard the Guards from the Guardsroom nearby speaking about the Feast of Starlight planned. The Feast was scheduled to go for three days, and from what Billa had heard could compete with even the most raucous of Hobbit parties; meaning majority of the Halls’ population would be unconscious or at least extremely hungover throughout the celebration. With Thorin’s permission Billa began her fortnight of preparation. Finding an unused part of the Cellar hidden from the wandering eye, Billa began ferrying the Dwarrows’ belongings down from the unguarded storeroom she had found them in weeks prior. In between ferrying the weapons and packs, Billa made sure to spend some time each day with Kíli as she had promised.

Billa often found that they didn’t speak of anything regarding their escape, instead Kíli would quiz her consistently about her life. How she had met his mother; what her parents had been like; how she liked the Shire ecetera. To Billa these conversations were precious, as they let her forget her troubles for a few hours and she happily answered all his questions. Even going so far as to ask her own.

Over those precious hours Billa learned that it had been Thorin who had taught Kíli archery, in place of his Father Víli who had died during a patrol gone wrong when he had been very young. Despite having grown up with servants, Dís had been adamant that her sons would be able to fend for themselves and had taught them how to cook, sew, and craft simple household necessities. Sometimes they would share stories about their childhoods, and Billa found it heart-warming that Kíli shared his with her. She had been surprised to discover that in some respects their childhoods had been similar; coloured by the taunts of other children and adults for being different. Kíli for his love of archery, and Billa for her love of adventure.

As the Feast grew nearer Billa was forced to cut her time short with Kíli and throw herself into her preparations. Finally, the Feast began, and she was ready to put her plan into action. She was walking to her last conference with Thorin on the second night of the Feast, before she would spring the Dwarrow from their cells when she caught sight of the red-haired elleth sitting beside Kíli’s cell. Billa’s heart throbbed painfully in her chest when she heard Kíli laugh at something the smiling elleth had said. Tears flooded her eyes, and Billa fell back against the wall for a moment unable to breathe.

It took several minutes for the hobbit-lass to pull herself from the wall and keep walking, leaving the raven-haired Dwarrow laughing with the red-haired elleth. She bottled up her unnerving emotions to be studied at a later time and got moving.

As she passed through the Cellar, she listened in on the ongoing conversation between the Elves. Her eyes zeroing in on the Elf Guard who had the keys to the Dwarves cells attached to his belt – that was admittedly going to be the hardest thing she was going to do that night. She only hoped her pick pocketing skills were still up to scratch it had been a fair while since she last tried.

“…we’re running out of drink upstairs,” one Elf said, his speech slurred ever so slightly.

“These empty barrels should have been sent back to Esgaroth hours ago. The bargeman will be waiting for them,” another said attempting to appear concerned until he took another large drink of wine from the tankard in his hand.

“Say what you like about our ill-tempered king,” a third said to the Elf Billa had been watching, “but he has excellent taste in wine. Come, Elros, try it.”

Elros – the Elf with the keys – rolled his eyes. “I have the Dwarves in my charge.”

“And?” the third Elf asked unhooking Elros’ keys and hanging them up on a hook on the wall. “They’re locked up; where can they go? Come on Elros, have a drink with us.” The other Elves laughed at the third’s wheedling but Elros gave in with a chuckle taking a solid drink from the tankard he’d been handed. Billa’s attention had immediately left the Elves and her eyes were glued to the now harmlessly free-for-the-taking keys. Glancing at the now heartily laughing Elven Guards, Billa had to appreciate their stupidity, and may have silently apologised for what she was about to do before sneaking past them and going to speak with Thorin.

“I’ll wager the sun’s on the rise. It must be nearly dawn,” Bofur said with a melancholic sigh, eyeing the cavern above where the sounds of festivities were filtering down from.

“We’re never going to reach the mountain, are we?” Ori asked quietly, her doe-like green eyes meeting her eldest brother’s from across the hallway.

“Not stuck in here, you’re not,” Billa said, popping the ring into her pocket and raising a set of keys.

“Billa!” Dori and Bofur cried out.

“Shhhh, there are still guards nearby,” she hushed them, before quickly unlocking their cell doors. “Come along we need to get the others. Quietly now,” she ordered, before leading the three Dwarrow to the next corridor along and reuniting Bofur with Bifur. Oín and Dwalin falling in behind them. Nori had been the next free, and he had been quick to pull Billa into a tight hug before she could move away; knocking her forehead with his gently. Billa smiled warmly at her adoptive brother before leading the growing number of Dwarrow further up the corridor to free, Balin, Gloín, Bombur and then running off alone to free Fíli and lead him back to the others.

“What about Kíli, and Thorin?” the blond Prince demanded worriedly.

“Kíli’s next,” Billa answered gesturing down the staircase near Bombur’s old cell. “Thorin is already down there waiting for you. I saw to him first.”

While the Dwarrows muttered excitedly among themselves, Billa steeled herself as she led them down the stairs to Kíli’s cell. She would never admit it, but she had purposefully left him till last as she had been unable to face him so soon. She was still unsure as to why seeing him talking and laughing with the elleth had hurt so badly, and she had to confess it still hurt. Still, she forced a smile on her face in answer to Nori’s querying look and hurried her footsteps.

Once outside Kíli’s cell, she gave up on hushing the Dwarves while she worked on the lock – Fíli being the loudest of them all upon spotting his brother. In a matter of moments, the cell sprung open, and to Billa’s surprise she was immediately ensconced in a warm embrace; the scent of ashwood and cinnamon filling her nose and an immediate feeling of rightness overwhelmed her before it was gone. Billa found herself stunned for several moments while she cleared her head from the hug, she had received from Kíli.

Once again in control of her senses, she did a head count. “All right, that’s everyone,” she said.

“Alright then up we go,” Dwalin said about to turn and head back the way they came.

“Not that way,” Billa said quickly. “Down here. Follow me.” And so, she began leading her gaggle of Dwarrow down into the depths of the Woodland Realm. As they entered into the Cellars, Billa took note of the still passed out Elves and once again found herself questioning the strength of the wine.

“I don’t believe it; we’re in the cellars!” Kíli murmured surprised, but not angry. Although some of the Dwarrow were not pleased.

“You were supposed to be leading us out, not further in!” Dwalin rumbled eyeing the Elves.

“I know what I am doing!” Billa snapped back, glaring at the Guard Captain. “This way,” she ordered leading them over to where Thorin had been left to sort out their packs and belongings.

“Thorin!” Dwalin exclaimed at the sight of his King, “the blasted hobbit has us trapped.” Billa rolled her eyes skyward at the Guard’s complaint, but instead of answering just started gesturing to the packs. Thankfully several of the Dwarrow picked up on it and began to equip themselves, Billa following suit.

“No, she hasn’t,” the King responded calmly, “now gear up, Billa needs us ready and in the barrels over there.”  

In short order Billa lead the now geared Dwarrow over to the barrels, they were going to make their – not so – grand escape in.

“Everyone climb into the barrels, quickly!” she urged, her hobbit-y ears picking up the sound of a distant clamour. She may have misjudged the timing somewhat. She sent a panicked look to Thorin when Dwalin refused.

“Are you mad? They’ll find us!”

“No, no they won’t. I promise you. Just – please, please, you must trust me,” she pleaded.

“Do as she says!” Thorin ordered, leaving no room for debate and Billa sent him and Nori a grateful glance when they led the way and jumped in the barrels. After a last-minute head count, Billa was satisfied they had everything.

“What do we do now?” Bofur asked popping his head out of his barrel, which prompted all the others to follow suit. Billa giggled slightly at the ridiculous image she was faced with as she walked over to the lever, she knew stood between them and their freedom.

A smirk pulled at her dry, cracked lips. “Hold your breath,” she said impishly.

“Hold my breath? What do you mean?” Bofur asked, just as she pulled the lever.

 The floor beneath where the barrels had been stacked, tilted downward as the mechanism released; sending the barrels rolling through the opening and tumbling down the several feet drop into the river below. Unsurprisingly the Dwarrow had made a bit of a commotion and Billa looked over at the sleeping Elves as they stirred. The clamour from above was growing louder, and it was now Billa’s turn to escape. She’d tested the floor on a dry run before the barrels had been stacked to see if she’d be able to escape the same way barrel-less a week before and was now grateful for it as she rushed to the side of the floor that dropped and jumped on it. Thankfully it gave way and Billa held her breathe as she plummeted into the river below. Surfacing, Billa blindly grabbed hold of a nearby barrel before using one hand to wipe the water from her eyes. Finally, able to see; Billa was surprised to find she had grabbed hold of Nori’s barrel.

“Well done, Miss Baggins,” Thorin called with a proud look on his face.

Billa simply waved her hand, spluttering “go!” Trying not to think about how much she must be imitating a drowned rat. Thorin nodded and silently the Dwarrow began paddling until their barrels caught the current of the river. As they emerged into the sunlight, Billa heard Thorin call back.

“Hold on!”

Before Billa could ask Nori what for, they were plunged into fast moving rapids; the barrels immediately taken by the roaring current. The raging river pulling them ever faster downstream. The sound of elvish being shouted caught Billa’s attention and she looked back over her shoulder catching sight of the rather angsty blond Elven Prince running along behind them.

“Shut the gate!”

The Company heard the sound of an elvish horn and as they rounded the bend Billa spotted the guard post built over the river. She silently cursed herself for not considering that, when she’d made the plan. Having heard the horn, the heavily armoured elves milling around the guard post were quick to attention; one of them pulling a lever that saw the Company’s road to freedom close. The heavy metal sluice gate came down blocking the river but allowing the water to still pass through. But the barrels and their occupants were forced to a hard stop by the gate.

“No!” Thorin exclaimed.

“Arm up!” Billa urged Nori and the Dwarrow around her, green eyes locked on the Elven Guards that were beginning to draw their swords. But before a fight could break out, one of the Guards cried out in pain before toppling from the guard post and to the riverbank below. A black arrow sticking from his back. Within moments the guard post was swarming with Orcs, and the Elves were suddenly too busy to think about the Dwarrow.

“Watch out! Those are orcs!” Bofur cried, and Company scrambled to arm themselves as several of the Orcs began to throw themselves at them. Billa hastily wrapped her hand up in the rope handle of Nori’s barrel unsheathing Sting. She was forced to parry a blow from an Orc before she thrust forward sharply skewering the fell creature, only for it to be replaced by another. She caught movement out of the corner of her eye, and turning her head saw that Kíli had removed himself from his barrel and had mounted the steps to the guard post. Billa had been unable to watch the Dwarrow Archer fight his way through the Orcs to the lever, but her heart pounded awfully when she heard the twang of a bow as Kíli reached the lever. Her heart entered her throat at the sickly groan that left Kíli as he fell back.

“Kíli!” she shrieked, her cry mingling with that of his brother. Billa was seconds away from letting go of Nori’s barrel to rush to the Archer’s aid when arrows began flying from the bushes hitting their Orcish marks. Nori glanced at Billa as he felt the weight shift from his barrel only to see the hobbit clamber up the barrel and leap for the riverbank.

“Billana!” he cried, reaching uselessly for her as she took advantage of the Orcs’ momentary distraction to rush to the Dwarven Archer’s side. Killing any Orc that got too close to her. She reached Kíli’s side just as he managed to grab the lever and pull it, opening the sluice gate and letting the barrels and their Dwarrow occupants through. She caught him as he began to fall back, his face pulled in a grimace of pain.

“Billa?” he panted, brown eyes opening to catch sight of the copper haired hobbit. They both missed the cries of their names from Nori and Fíli as they stared at each other for a moment.

“Yes Kíli, it’s me,” she hushed. “We’ve got to go!” she said urgently, slipping under his arm and hoisting him up as much as she could. She helped him to the edge and helped him sit down, eyeing the black arrow shaft protruding from his thigh. He grunted, before sliding off the edge and into his empty barrel below. A cry left his lips as the shaft broke off as it hit the edge of the barrel.

“Kíli!” Billa cried out, ducking a stray arrow.

“I’m alright!” he groaned. “Come on!”

Worried, but aware she didn’t have time Billa plunged off the edge, another arrow barely missing her though it did catch her cheek leaving a smear of blood in its wake. Surfacing from the chilly water, Billa grabbed hold of Kíli’s barrel and kicked off the guard post with her booted feet propelling them into the raging current that had taken their friends. Her right hand tangled in the rope handle of the barrel and Sting tightly gripped in her left, they raced after the Company; plunging over the waterfall and continuing down the rushing river.

What happened next would be a tale that Billa would never quite understand how they had managed it. But as the river’s current rushed them at high speed downstream the Company was given chase by not only the Orcs but several of the elves too. Billa had never been more grateful that she had found the Dwarves’ weapons as they fought for their lives as the river raged. From Elves using Dwarrow heads’ as an archery vantage point to Bombur flattening several orcs with his weighted barrel, the fight was an odd one. Relief had flooded Billa as the current sped up and the few Orcs, left behind were dealt with by the Elves. Adrenaline was quick to leave her, and she found herself struggling to hang on to Kíli’s barrel. But using what little strength she had left she tightened her hold on the rope handle.

Kíli had even surprised her by flinging an arm around her shoulders, doing what little he could to keep her head above the water. They remained like that for several hours as the river pulled them downstream; Kíli gripping the barrel and Billa tightly, and Billa hanging on to the handle her hand was tangled in, and gripping Sting tightly in her other hand. Her forehead resting tiredly on the barrel’s rim. Eventually the current slowed, and Billa had forced herself to kick her feet blindly to help propel Kíli’s barrel towards the rocky riverbank.

“Anything behind us?” Thorin asked, as the Company paddled towards the riverbank.

“Not that I can see,” Balin responded looking back over his shoulder a few times.

“I think we’ve outrun the orcs,” Bofur commented.

“Not for long; we’ve lost the current,” Thorin responded gruffly.

“Bofur is half drowned,” Dwalin reasoned, agreeing with Thorin.

“Make for the shore! Come on, let’s go!” Billa simply groaned under her breath at Thorin’s order. What did he think they were doing?”

They reached the rocky outcrop that jutted out into the river in relatively short order, and Nori was immediately at Billa’s side helping her ashore while Fíli and Bofur helped Kíli out of his barrel. Billa shivered violently as a breeze blew past her half-drowned frame. And Nori was quick to strip her off her coat and try to squeeze as much water from it as possible.

“Kíli?” she asked weakly, as Nori forced her away and began mothering her. Pulling her boots off and emptying them of water and squeezing out her socks before putting the back on her to try and ward of the chill.

“Bofur and Fíli are seeing to him,” Nori answered gruffly, as he examined her closer; running his fingers over the sluggishly bleeding cut on her cheek.

“On your feet!” Thorin ordered.

Billa frowned, blearily looking over in the King’s general direction. But Kíli-

“Kíli’s wounded. His leg needs binding,” Fíli said voicing Billa’s thoughts.

“There’s an orc pack on our tail; we keep moving,” Thorin responded harshly, and Billa found herself taken aback.

It seemed Balin was too by his tone. “To where?” he asked

“To the Mountain; we’re so close,” Ori said.

“A lake lies between us and that mountain. We have no way to cross it,” Balin responded reasonably.

“So, then we go around?” Billa considered aloud, not actually meaning to contribute to the conversation.

“The orcs will run us down, as sure as daylight,” Dwalin grumbled gruffly. “We don’t have the necessary supplies to get us there either.”

“Bind his leg, quickly,” Thorin conceded. “You have two minutes.” Billa watched as Balin went over to Thorin, likely doing his best to reason with the King. She was concerned about Thorin, but a thought crossed her mind and she subtly checked her innermost pocket of her jerkin where she had hidden the ring. She felt herself somewhat comforted by its weight and that chilled her to her core. A slight sound caught her ears, and she twitched them a few times to hear better when all of a sudden, she sneezed violently just as she heard the twang of an arrow.

“Archer!” she shouted, jumping to her feet half unsheathing Sting and blindly looking around. Her head felt heavy, and her nose was stuffy – likely from the river – but the longer she stood the more distant everyone seemed. She’d determined the situation wasn’t as bad as she had thought when everything went quiet. Billa barely picked up the sound of a new voice nor the shout of her name as she collapsed. Blackness embracing her.

“Bilbo!” Nori shouted, interrupting the Bargeman from his threat, as he leaped forward to catch the collapsing hobbit. He barely managed to wrap his arms around her before her head collided with the rock. “Bilbo,” he said hurriedly, kneeling and laying the hobbit across his lap. “Come on Bil, don’t do this to me mimzardûna.” His voice was harried as he openly ignored everyone his focus solely on the unconscious hobbit in his lap, he gently patted at her cheek. “Come on Bil, wake up. Wake up!”

“Let me have a look at ‘er!” Oín ordered, having rushed to Billa after he had finished seeing to Kíli’s leg. Nori nearly growled at the older Dwarrow but a hand on his shoulder stopped him, glancing up to identify its owner he found his younger sister.

Balin, Thorin and Dwalin had been speaking to the Man after his unwelcome surprise appearance, but the two had been interrupted by Nori’s shout.

“Is the child okay?” the Bargeman asked, looking over at the small creature concerned. He’d always had a soft spot for children, even before he had had his own.

“She is no child!” Nori growled possessively, holding the unconscious hobbit closer even as Oín clucked his tongue and continued to examine her.  “She is a Hobbit,”

“A Halfling? Truly?” the Bargeman said, glancing over at the hobbit while he loaded the empty barrels into his barge.

“A Hobbit,” Nori spat. “They are not half of anything!”

“Settle down Nori,” Ori said quietly, a firmness to her voice. Nori seemed to respond to that by turning his head sharply away from the Man to focus worried marsh green eyes on the unconscious hobbit.

“She needs medicine, quickly,” Oín determined after several long moments of silent examination. “She is skin and bone, whatever she went through to get us out of those Halls wrecked her body and I’d wager her mind too. She’s got a fever as well that we’ll need to get down as quickly as possible.”

“She had little sleep, and I don’t think she ate much while we were the cells She was always so cold,” Nori informed the Dwarven healer. “And she wasn’t eating or sleeping much at all while in the Forest."

Oín’s frown deepened. “We were in there for weeks! Over a month and a half if I’d have to hazard a guess!” the healer exclaimed loudly. “She’s must be completely starved the silly girl!”

“She did it to get us out of there!” Nori roared, “she should never have entered that Mahal-cursed forest! It was killing her!”

“I have no doubt of that!” Oín responded harshly, leveling the Thief with a glare that said multitudes. Nori ducked his head, eyes focusing on the pale and wan face of the barely breathing hobbit in his arms.

“What do we do?” he asked, half brokenly.

“We need to get her out of those wet clothes as soon as possible, get her warm and I need fresh herbs if I am going to have any chance of waking her up,” Oín stated simply, leveling a hard look at Thorin and Balin. Before leaving Nori’s side to walk up to the suspicious Bargeman. “You can have your doubts about us but if you keep trying to wrangle more money from us, you’ll be helping us dig a grave!” he said bluntly. “I don’t care how much gold it will take to get you to smuggle us into Laketown, but we need to go now!”

The Company all stared at the usually deaf Dwarrow as his overall persona seemed to change. He stood proud before the stunned Bargeman who flickered his gaze over to the small frail creature being cradled against the Thief’s chest.

“That hobbit there is the reason many of our Company are alive today, and I will not allow her to die without doing my absolute best to try and save her,” the Healer snapped, recapturing the Bargeman’s attention. “I will add my own gold to the mix, if needs must. But you will smuggle us into Laketown.”

The Bargeman took one last look at the frail hobbit and seemed to come to a decision. His brown eyes lightening slightly. He glared at Thorin. “I don’t do this for you,” he said gruffly. “I had best not regret this Dwarf.”

Chapter Text

Billa’s throat was scratchy and her head pounded like a drum as she finally began to wake. It took her several minutes to determine there was something amiss. Firstly, she was warm. She had not known warmth since the summer days spent at Beorn’s. Secondly, she was dry. The last thing she remembered had been the river. She frowned slightly; her eyes still shut as she tried to figure out what had happened. There was the odd foggy memory of being carried, and of yelling. Not to mention of a lamp lit room and foul-tasting drinks she recalled being coaxed into drinking. Then there were the memories.

Billa had felt trapped in her own past; the memories of the Old Forest, the cold. The feelings of helplessness as the barrow-wights stole her control and led her like a puppet into the Barrow-downs. The almost certainty she had felt that she would breathe her last that winter. Memories of the Barrows twisted and mingled with the memory of Azog. Azog as he had been astride his White Warg coaxing the beast to approach the fallen body of Thorin; then Thorin was her mother’s cold and lifeless corpse. Then it had been Nori, then Kíli then her mother again.

She remembered screaming, begging for help as cradled her mothers- Nori’s- Kíli’s broken and lifeless body, before screaming in pain as the scars on her back flared to life once more. The feel of the steel slicing through her like a hot knife through butter. The cold of the snow as she lay bleeding. The distance between her and Kíli as she reached helplessly for his corpse. 

She swallowed hard against her scratchy throat at the memory of her dreams, because she knew they had been dreams. Some twisted memories, others new fears. But nightmares all the same.

As she came to more fully. The fogginess of sleep leaving her she began to tune in to the world around her. There was a fire crackling and she could feel the weight of what felt like several heavy blankets covering her.

“-ín, Oín! I think she’s finally waking up!”

Nori, she thought. A frown pulling at her lips and crinkling her brow at the utter relief she heard in his voice. How long had she been asleep?

Green eyes fluttered open, to a dimly lit room and the sight of a clean but disheveled looking Nori standing at the end of the very large bed she was occupying.

“-ori,” she voiced, her voice weak and hoarse from disuse.

“Oín!” Nori yelled over his shoulder. “She’s awake! She’s finally awake!” Billa frowned at Nori confused as he turned back to face her, rushing to her bedside and clambering up beside her. He reached for her and pressed his forehead against hers gently, muttering her name over and over again.

Trying again, Billa tried to clear her throat a bit before she spoke. “Nori?” she was able to manage more enunciation this time, but her voice was still a hoarse whisper. “Wh-what’s going on?”

To her surprise it wasn’t Nori who answered. “Stop trying to speak mimzabdûna,” Oín ordered firmly. “You’ve been in and out of fevered dreams for almost a week now. Nori, let me have a look at her.” Nori – to Billa’s immense surprise – did as the grey-haired Healer said and scrambled back, though he kept a hand on her knee as he sat back on the bed to allow her to be examined.

Suddenly Oín’s word occurred to her. “A week?” she asked before she succumbed to a chest wracking coughing fit.

Oín glared at her menacingly. “What did I say about talking Billa,” he said gruffly as she gasped for breath post coughing fit. “But yes. You have been unconscious for the better part of the week,” he answered as he began his examination. “Your body couldn’t cope with such long exposure to freezing cold water after being nearly starved to death, you ended up passing out and contracting pneumonia. The worst case I have ever seen for over a century.”

Billa’s eyes widened fearfully and she tried to sit up, which only served to set off another coughing fit.

“Oh, do be still naith! One would think you have a death wish,” he grumbled. “Don’t go fretting about what Thorin thinks of all this, no point. You can’t go anywhere until we get this pneumonia under control though it does seem that your fever has finally broken so that’s a good sign. Nori go get my medicine satchel – oh thank you for finding that by the way Billa, we would have been in a very different situation if you hadn’t found that.” Billa had given up on trying to speak, as she became aware of just how wretched she felt. Instead after Nori had left the room, she fought to get her arms out from beneath the heavy rich blankets that were draped over her and using Iglishmêk asked the question she desperately needed to know.

‘What date is it?’

Oín stared blankly at her fingers for several long moments before he shook his head grumbling under his breath. “I should have known you knew Iglishmêk too,” he commented dryly. “But the answer to your question is we have three weeks until Durin’s Day. You have time.”

Billa slumped back into the feather pillow relieved.

“Thorin isn’t happy about it,” the Healer commented as he finished his examination, and began propping her up with extra pillows and getting her comfortable. “Spoke of leaving you and Kíli behind and heading for the Mountain.” Billa’s eyes widened, glittering with horror. “Thankfully Balin and I were able to talk him out of that. Balin was far too nice about it, but bottom line was we would never have made it to where we are now without you and none of the Company were particularly keen on leaving you near death. Didn’t stop him and several of the others getting found out and creating a big mess.”

Billa frowned as the Healer fluffed a pillow for her. ‘What happened while I was unconscious?’

Oín’s eyes tracked the movement of fingers quietly. “Well you were right about your cry of ‘Archer’, right before you passed out on us. A Bargeman from Esgaroth named Bard had snuck up on us and took a shot at Ori which Dwalin deflected. Balin began negotiating smuggling us into Laketown and some supplies when you passed out causing Nori to go all possessive on us – that has been a right pain to deal with by the way naith – you really need to talk to that nadnûn about that Billa. Anyway, Bard was convinced and smuggled us in. Offered us his house for a bit as well before Thorin got all uppity and demanded the goods we paid for – as far as I am concerned we paid to get our injured to a safe place to recoup but Thorin had other ideas – then that led to a failed attempt at stealing several supplies that alerted the Laketown Guard and thus the Master to our presence,” Oin explained.

Billa could tell the old Dwarf was not at all happy about the situation, and found she was not at all surprised by his ‘supposed’ change in personality. Gone was the doddery superstitious, deaf old Dwarrow and in front of her now stood a fully accomplished Dwarrow Healer and Warrior fully in control of himself. She’d had her suspicions about the Healer for months but had not been able to figure out how best to approach him about it. She now supposed she didn’t have to.

“Bard is now in prison for causing a stir, although I don’t think he was wrong about his omens. There is something very wrong with Thorin, he is acting very unusual. Sometimes he is his usual self; worried about Kíli and even concerned for you and then other times he’s almost fanatical about reaching the Mountain,” the Healer continued. “I haven’t been able to determine what the cause is yet but mark my words I’ll deal with it one way or another.”

‘What’s the problem with the Master? You don’t seem to like him.’ Billa had been observing the Dwarrow Healer carefully as he spoke, picking up on unspoken hints.

“He’s a greedy sack of shit is what he is,” Oín grunted, sneering slightly. “He’s making a big fanfare about our arrival, only because he wants to get his hand on the gold horde that dusty Dragon has been sitting on for nearly two centuries. Bard shouldn’t have been locked up for recitin’ the prophecy of these parts, Master has it out for him for some reason.”

Billa raised an eyebrow at the mention of a prophecy. ‘What’s the prophecy say?’

“Now let me think about that for a minute,” Oín said, his eyes turning thoughtful as he grumbled to himself. Nori returned then, and Oín paused in his thinking. “Ah thank you lad, how about you go and find our hobbit something to eat hmm? A light broth and some bread should do for now. And be sure to bring a pitcher of water, and a kettle!” he said taking his satchel from the Thief and ushering him back out of the room. Once they were alone again Oín began to go through his bag looking through his herb supplies as he answered her. “I’m fairly certain it goes like this: The lord of silver fountains. The king of carven stone. The king beneath the mountain shall come into his own. And the bells shall ring in gladness at the mountain king’s return. But all shall fail in sadness and the lake will shine and burn. Quite ominous while being a good sign for our future.”

Billa’s eyes widened as she considered the prophetic riddle, her heart pounding and her gasp sending her into another violent coughing fit.  ‘Not for the Men of Laketown! But all shall fail in sadness and the lake will shine and burn – the bloody Dragon is alive Oín! And we are likely going to wake it, and he will burn Esgaroth in retaliation!’ Her fingers were practically screaming at the Healer once she was able to breathe again, where she could not. Oín stared at her unseeingly for a moment before he began to curse violently in Khuzdul.

“By Mahal, you are right!” the Healer cursed. “There is no stopping Thorin now though, not when we are so close.”

‘Then we must free Bard and warn the townspeople. They cannot suffer for our mistakes Oín, if Esgaroth burns then so shall we. For I do not think that we will go unscathed. Think back to the Lady’s warning! Beware wealth and pride. Not to forget the mention of a Battle to come. Oín we must do something!’

“You will not be doing anything more than resting naith -ê,” he retorted firmly, as he found the herbs he was looking for. He grabbed his mortar and pestle next and began to grind them as he turned contemplative. “There is nothing we can do right this minute,” Oín said thoughtfully a frown on his wisened face. “But there may be a chance. Kíli is not going to be able to continue onto the mountain,” he said conclusively. “Whatever foul ichor was on that arrow shaft has taken hold of the lad. As a result, I will be staying here with him once I get you back on your feet. Fíli will likely refuse to go on without his brother and I have no doubt the Master will readily turn us out once Thorin is gone. So, we need to begin to plan for that.  But Thorin cannot know, not the way he is at the moment.”

‘You will need more help than simply Fíli if – Kíli – is as sick as it seems he is,’ her fingers said, fumbling over Kíli’s name.

“You leave that to me, Billa,” the old Healer said. “I will speak with Balin and make a plan; you just need to heal. You hear me. You will have enough to worry about if you’re reading of that prophecy is right. Which I have no doubt it is, you have a keener sense for trouble than many I know.”

‘If you asked Nori, he’d just say it’s all the practice I’ve had over the years,’ Billa shrugged. She knew Oín was right, and that there was nothing that she could do in her current state. Still she knew she would worry.

“Now enough about all that, Nori will be back soon and don’t think I didn’t notice you waited till after he had left to speak in Iglishmêk,” the Healer said, eyeing her pointedly.

‘A girl has got to have some secrets, doesn’t she?’ she smiled impishly.

“Well we’ll get you back talking without starting a coughing fit again soon; just got to dry up the mucous in your lungs and get some meat back onto your bones. The less skeletal you are the hardier you’ll be for the journey ahead,” he said. Just as Oín had predicted Nori returned shortly afterwards and refused to leave her side. Eventually Oín had to manhandle the Thief out of there and hand him over to Dori to be cleaned up and made presentable, else the Healer threatened to lock him out of the room. It took several reassuring glances from Billa to get the Thief to stop fighting the older Dwarrow. But eventually he gave in.

The next few days continued in a similar stream of events. With Billa and Oín using his consultation time in the morning, at midday and in the evening to discuss and make plans which the Healer would then go on to speak to the appropriate people. Nori would then take up the rest of Billa’s day arranging her bed for her, bringing her food and helping her do little things. Her only reprieve from her overly concerned akrâgnadad had been when Ori had intervened with Dori and organised Billa a bath. Ori had then bullied Nori out of the room with Dori and then preceded to help the steadily recovering hobbit out of bed.

“How are you feeling?” the Dwarrowdam asked, as she supported Billa as she weakly walked over to the steaming wooden tub Ori had organised for her.

“Better,” Billa said quietly, she was unable to speak very loudly without aggravating her chest but Oín had at least succeeded in healing her throat enough that she could speak. “Thank you for the bath Ori.”

“It’s no problem Billa, after being cooped up so long I though it might help make you feel a little more yourself,” the scribe said as she helped Billa undress, not even glancing at the ugly tri-scar that ran down the length of the hobbit’s back from the top of her left shoulder to her right hip. “I even had someone find me some soap for you – lavender and honey apparently, they didn’t have any honeysuckle.”

Billa smiled gratefully at the red-haired Dwarrowdam. “You are a gem, Ori.” Ori then helped Billa clamber into the tub and the hobbit groaned almost erotically as she sank beneath the hot water.

“That good is it?” Ori giggled; her fair cheeks pinked.

Billa blushed. “Just a bit,” she answered with a chuckle of her own. It had been a while since it had just been the two lasses, and Billa found she had missed it.

“Come sit forward, I’ll help you with your hair,” Ori ordered, before she began to use a wooden bowl to pour water over Billa’s bedraggled curls.

“I noticed I was clean when I woke up,” Billa mused, as she let Ori massage the soap into her curls.

Ori paused in her ministrations a moment in surprise at the question. “Ah that’s because Oín had me and Bard’s daughters – Sigrid and Tilda – sponge bathe you while we were at Bard’s house to clean you up and help warm you up. Tilda had a lot of fun actually, cleaning your hair and brushing it. She kept calling you a fairy princess,” the dam answered with a soft smile, before she frowned. “I feel bad about what’s happened to Bard, it’s not right that those children have to suffer over a greedy pig like the Master’s whims.”

“I would have loved to meet them,” Billa said, distracting Ori. “Would you tell me about them, and Bain; it seems you spent quite some time with them.”

“Of course!” Ori exclaimed, successfully distracted as she began to rattle on about the cute human children. After rinsing out her curls and brushing through it, Ori handed Billa a cloth for her to use to wash herself before sitting back and letting the hobbit enjoy the hot water. Talking all the while. Eventually Billa was done and Ori helped her out of the now luke-warm tub and wrapped her up in a towel. The dam then sat the hobbit down on a stool so she could towel dry her curls before she began to braid her hair for her. An act that caught Billa by surprise.

Billa had spent enough time among Dwarrow to know that hair and especially braiding was sacred to them and was often a very intimate thing done only between family and loved ones only. Before the hobbit could question Ori, she felt her akrâgbaraf braid fall over her shoulder. Slightly heavier than before. Green eyes trailed the new bead that adorned her braid – this one braided into the braid higher than the clasp Nori had given her months ago. The bead was made of white painted ceramic, something that surprised Billa, but she found it beautiful none the less. Several flowers had been painted onto its oblong shape delicately, and she grinned as she began to identify them.

“Acacia for platonic love, Verbena for family union – yours to mine, Iris to remind you how much your friendship means to me,” Ori stated, naming each flower delicately painted onto the akrâgbaraf bead. “And pink Roses for each and every one of their eleven meanings,” the dam finished shyly.

“I am honoured Ori,” Billa said genuinely, turning in her seat to look at the Dwarrowdam behind her; her eyes filling with the same tears of joy she had felt when Nori had given her the akrâgbaraf bead he had crafted for her. “Thank you!”

Ori’s shoulders lost all their tension and she smiled. “Oh, thank Mahal. I honestly wasn’t sure how I should go about it,” the dam confessed, turning Billa back around so that she could finish doing her hair – easily doing the fishtail braid that claimed Billa as a descendent of the Ur tribe, clasping the braid with her Great-Grandfather’s beads. She then styled the rest of Billa’s curls into a simple braid that ran down her back, her two familial braids intertwined within it.  “I thought about asking you first, but I couldn’t think of how I should bring it up. In the end it just made sense to simply do it. There was no use in worrying over it, I already knew your answer in my heart.”

Billa laughed, quietly but genuinely. “I am so glad that you did Ori, I would have berated you horribly if you had wasted time trying to ask,” Billa retorted teasingly.

“That’s what I was afraid of,” Ori responded in jest leaving the two lasses to devolve into giggles. Once she was done with Billa’s hair, Ori helped the hobbit into a clean chemise that looked new. “Dori had quite the time of it tailoring it to your size, but since you’re still so thin he decided to simply tack it so that he’d be able to tailor it better once your all better.”

“Remind me to thank him later,” Billa requested admiring the skilful work of the eldest Ri. “He is extremely talented at his Craft,” she commented.

“A high complement akrâgnana’ith,” Ori said, helping the hobbit back into bed when a thought occurred to Billa. She didn’t know where the ring was. Concerned she had lost it, and anxious over the strange feeling of panic that was trying to overwhelm her she asked Ori.

“Ori, do you happen to know what happened to my jerkin?”

“Oh yes. Your pack is currently in my room with my belongings, did you need something?” Ori asked.

Billa fought against the instinct that was screaming at her to keep it a secret and continued. “I was just wondering if a plain gold ring was in one of the pockets,” she said nonchalantly. “I would hate to lose it.”

Ori thought about it for a few seconds, before she snapped her fingers. “Oh that. Yes, it fell out while I was repacking your bag and folding your belongings. I found a piece of leather and tied it to it. You really shouldn’t have been carrying it around without a chain if you weren’t going to wear it,” the dam said, “It’s currently in your bag with the rest of your belongings. Did you want it?”

Billa sighed a breath of relief, she hadn’t lost it in the river; and wasn’t that a strange thing, she mused. “No thank you Ori, and you’re right. Unfortunately, the leather I had it on snapped a while back and then Mirkwood happened, so I wasn’t able to fix it.”

“Well let me know if you want anything from your bags. Oín didn’t want you to have it in here in case it stressed you out too much,” the dam said.

“Thank you, akrâgnana’,” Billa said smiling. A strange instinct was still fighting her to run out of the room and get the ring herself – screaming about it being defiled – but she blatantly ignored it. She knew where it was, and Ori wasn’t reacting strangely to the question; so, she felt that it was safe enough where it was for the moment.

“Once you’re feeling better, I’ll bring them in for you anyway. Dori has sorted through all your clothes and has mended what he can and has gotten rid of what was beyond repair. He’s been tailoring some trousers for you and a few new shirts as well that we’ve been offered by the townsfolk. So, you’ll have some new fresh clothes when we head for the mountain,” Ori said.

“How’s my coat and my boots? And my jerkin?” Billa asked.

“All fine, they’re of good Dwarven make so they have survived the worst of it. Your weapons are all accounted for as well, Nori saw to that,” Ori reported. “Now you should get some rest, I’ll have Dori and Nori help me get rid of the tub and keep Nori distracted for a few hours so you can rest in peace,” she said with a smirk, tucking the hobbit-lass more firmly into the covers before turning and heading for the door. The dam paused for a moment at the door and looked back at Billa who was nestled comfortably into a nest of pillows and blankets. “I should warn you about that, once you’re better Nori is going to have a field day yelling at you so just be prepared for that.”

Billa didn’t like the amused gleam in Ori’s eyes at her final comment but the dam was gone before she could demand any answers. Eventually however the exhaustion of illness pulled Billa into a peaceful doze, all thoughts about Nori yelling at her forgotten for the moment.

A few days later Oín gave Billa a clean bill of health, or at least clean enough that she could continue to the Mountain. She still had a lingering cough, but her symptoms had receded enough that she was functioning. She had also under Oín and Nori’s strict eyes finally regained some of the pounds she had lost, she was by no means back to normal but Oín was at least satisfied she wasn’t about to keel over anymore. Billa had come to understand that the Dwarven Healer was not at all happy about letting her go yet but had been unduly forced to by a frantically impatient Thorin.

“Now you are to remain rugged up, summer is ending and the closer you get to the mountain the colder it is going to get. Understand,” he ordered. “You are to drink your tea morning and night, and if I find out you haven’t been, mark my words missy you’ll be in for it,” he continued menacingly.

“Yes, Oín,” she answered dutifully. The Healer had informed her the night before that it was confirmed that he and Kíli would be staying. He hadn’t said much about the Prince’s condition but Billa was very worried.

“Well then, I suppose it’s about time you get up out of bed then,” he grunted, after giving her one final examination. “They’re throwing a feast for us tonight, so it will be a good time to speak with Balin and formulate some kind of plan. I’ll be up here with the lad, so Balin can tell me later. I don’t want you drinking anything but water or tea tonight naith. I’ve only just got you back in functioning order, try not to set back all my hard work.”

Billa rolled her eyes. “Of course not, Oín. Who would keep Thorin in line if I didn’t go along?” she said, only half joking.

“Exactly,” the Healer agreed. “Now I’ll send Ori in with your belongings to help you get dressed, then you can go and lunch with the others.” The gruff old Dwarf did exactly as he said, and he left the room. A short time later, after a knock at the door Ori entered toting Billa’s pack and a fresh set of travel clothes over one arm.

“Here you are, akrâgnana’ith,” Ori said brightly, setting the pack down near the bed and helping Billa out of it – it was a Man-made bed after all not exactly made for hobbits.

“Thank you, Ori,” Billa replied, pulling off her chemise and starting with her fresh underclothes before donning the newly tailored trousers and linen shirt the dam handed her. Ori had once again organised a bath for Billa the night before so the hobbit was feeling much better, fully clothed and clean; well as clean as not being home in her smial would allow, she mused.

“You’re looking much better,” Ori commented studying Billa carefully for several moments, as the hobbit sat on a stool to pull her woolen socks on and then her boots. Billa barely grimaced at pulling the things on now, having grown used to wearing the boots over the course of the journey. “That cough is lingering but.”

“And it will for a while yet according to Oín,” Billa said, finally able to speak at her usual volume. “I’m not completely healed yet, but he is confident I won’t backslide horribly the moment I step out of bed at least.”

Ori snorted. “You wouldn’t be going anywhere for another week of two if Oín could have his way, but having seen Thorin recently I understand why,” the scribe said. Ori had grown far more confident when the two were in private, and it made Billa’s heart sing.

“I’d gathered as much,” Billa agreed, glancing up to meet Ori’s ocean green gaze. “We leave tomorrow correct?”

“We would have left sooner if Thorin had his way,” Ori grumbled slightly, “thankfully Master Balin was able to convince him otherwise.”

“Balin is Aulë sent I swear,” Billa said honestly. “I don’t know what we would have done without him curbing some of Thorin’s worst moods.”

“I know, still Thorin is the King; even if in exile for the moment,” Ori shrugged helplessly, answering the unasked question about why they followed such a Dwarf.

“I suppose that is true,” Billa agreed, she sympathised with the Dwarrow. But she’d be damned if she let herself be ruled by the same logic.

“We should head down now else we’ll miss lunch,” Ori said glancing out the open curtains. Billa simply hummed in agreement. Grabbing the large woolen jumper Ori had knitted for her as she left the room she’d been in for two weeks, and pulling it over her head. She studied the house curiously as she followed Ori through the halls and down the stairs, the dam had told her fairly early on in her bedrest about the guesthouse the Master had offered them to use. It was a nice enough place, Billa allowed, although she found it rather uselessly filled with mathoms.

She was pulled from her critique of the décor by her name being called.

“Billa!” Bofur called out from the table, having been the first to spot her and Ori arriving. A clamour overcame the table as the rest of the Company bar Oín and Kíli turned to look at her.

“Hullo everyone,” she smiled sheepishly.

“It’s good to see you back on your feet!” Thorin said, a wide smile fixed onto his face and a strange gleam in his eye. “Now we’ll be able to continue to the Mountain with no problems.”

Billa kept her face pleasantly neutral, fighting the frown that wished to take over it. How could he say that when his nephew was bedridden upstairs and unable to continue the journey with them! It seemed that Fíli, Ori and Balin were having similar thoughts with the array of glances they sent the King.

“Thank you Thorin,” Billa said simply following Ori over to the table and sitting next to Fíli who appeared to be the one who wanted to be there the least. The Dwarrow went back to their lunch, while Billa reached under the table to squeeze Fíli’s elbow comfortingly.

Neither of them said anything, but the older Prince met her emerald gaze and half-smiled in thanks.

Billa’s worry for Kíli grew tenfold. Fíli was looking a disheveled mess and appeared not to have slept much recently by the purple shadows that had taken up residence beneath his usually sparkling azure eyes. She shared a concerned glance with Ori but went on to eat quietly. 

After lunch Billa returned to her room to repack her belongings. Thanks to Ori she hadn’t needed to do much, so she had finished her task a lot earlier than expected. As she was double checking everything Billa found the ring, tied to its new leather strap. For the first time in literal months it was silent, and the hobbit had a significant gut feeling that the strange object was – dare she say it – pouting. Confused, but not overly alarmed, Billa put the strap over her head. After making sure the ring was secure, Billa finished what she’d set out to do. Finding Kíli’s Crafting journal in her belongings still, the hobbit decided to find Fíli. While she knew the blond would not be leaving in the morning with them, he did not but she did know he was the right person to give the journal to. Oín was being very strict about who could see Kíli and Billa didn’t think she’d be allowed. For a moment she considered using the ring only to be immediately revolted by the idea. Having been forced to use it while in Mirkwood and the ElvenKing’s Halls had been bad enough but to willingly use it?

By the time she had found Fíli it had been time to get ready for the evening’s ‘festivities’, Billa didn’t bother getting dressed up. Instead she simply donned her Dwarvish coat lined with wolf fur, and let her hair fall free. Upon being introduced to the Master by Thorin, Billa felt the urge to throw up. The Man was as oily as a tar pit, and as evil-hearted as an Orc in her opinion. It became very clear to her over the evening’s events that the Master was hoping that they would kill the Dragon but die in the process leaving the gold free for the taking. A thought occurred to Billa as she sat drinking her tea, nearly the entire town was in attendance which left the gaol with limited guards that night. A smirk pulled at her lips and a glint entered her eyes. She’d had an idea. Emerald eyes surveyed the room and found Balin avoiding the worst of the crowd in a nearby corner. Billa wandered over to the Advisor casually, though she didn’t miss his raised eyebrow as she sat beside him.

“A thought regarding the matter Oín was speaking to you of regarding a sneaky archer,” she said quietly, speaking in riddles to avoid anyone potentially deciphering their conversation.

Balin’s Durin’s blue eyes observed her shrewdly. “Oh? And what would that thought be?”

“We have among our Company a number of skilled beings who may be of use in the dead of night, especially considering the festivities this evening,” she said nonchalantly. “It would be a shame for them to miss out on the chance.”

Balin considered her words closely for a few moments humming thoughtfully, his eyes roaming the room. “I don’t see why not, why don’t you and your friends go bring them some cheer,” he said after a moment. His fingers flickering movement caught her eye. ‘Take Nori, and don’t get caught. I’ll cover for you if Thorin asks. Give the Bowman my apologies and tell him of what is to come. I do not want to leave behind us more enemies then necessary.’ Billa considered asking Balin how he had figured out she understood Iglishmêk but decided that it wasn’t the time for it. Instead she grinned and disappeared into the crowd. She found Nori a short time later, practising his pickpocketing on a number of drunk guests and she rolled her eyes.

“Nori stop with the childsplay,” she called to him quietly using the lilting language of her people.

The star haired Thief immediately stopped what he was doing and turned to her, taking in her mischievous grin and glittering emerald eyes – and wasn’t that a pleasant sight after the weeks of her being a walking ghost. “What are we doing?” he asked immediately, leaving his fun to walk over to her.

“We have a Bowman to bust out of gaol” she said with a wicked grin. Nori looked at her startled, but a grin overcame his face.

“Is this what you and the daft old Bat of a Healer were planning?”

“Hardly,” Billa answered, she wasn’t surprised Nori had cottoned on to what Oín and she had been using the time the Healer had with her privately to discuss. “But it will certainly be a step in the right direction. I’ll explain on the way, now where is the nearest stairwell? We need to get to the roof. I trust you know where we are headed.”

“Always akrâgnana’ith. Follow me!”

“So, what you’re saying is that we are springing the Bowman from the gaol. So, he can prepare the people for a Dragon, that we are going to inevitably wake up once we get to the Mountain?” Nori’s voice was fairly shrill, but it spoke of well of his chosen profession that he was able to do so in a near silent whisper.

“That’s the basics of it. Kíli and Oín won’t be with us and Fíli likely won’t be either as a result. They will help spread the word. Oín understands auguries and prophecies never exist without reason, he will figure something out. I know we can’t save everybody. But I’m hoping if Bard is free, we might have a chance at saving some,” Billa answered just as quietly. “And before you say anything about the Valar damned Dragon. Yes, I know. But let’s focus on our task here. We don’t have a very large window of opportunity.”

Nori’s only response was a strangled scream of frustration but Billa was grateful that he didn’t stop moving. They were nearly at the gaol, having been using the roofs of the town as a highway to avoid being seen by the few drunken citizens mulling around the strange town. Billa felt fairly precarious being on the roof of a house built on a floating pontoon in the middle of a very deep lake, but she had sure footing and trusted that Nori wouldn’t let her fall. They had done this a few too many times to make such rookie mistakes. To their luck the Guards were completely asleep when they arrived. Still Billla wasn’t taking any chances and using some herbs she had nicked from Oín set them alight with a murmured spell Gandalf had once taught her unknowingly and waved it under the sleeping Guards’ noses. The herbs weren’t harmful, but they ensured the Men wouldn’t wake anytime soon. Once she was sure they’d inhaled enough she snuffed it out and nodded to Nori who snuck up to the occupied cell, where a dark-haired man was sleeping fitfully and set to work. Nori had been very grateful to be reunited with his prized thieves’ tools, and he made quick work of the cell. Billa who had been on lookout, made one last check that the Guards’ were happily dead to the world before quietly making her way over to the cell where she gently shook the shoulder of the man.

He startled awake and recoiled violently. “Whoisit?” he slurred groggily.

“My name is Billa Baggins, and I’m sure you remember Nori,” Billa said patiently, her voice still quiet as she let the Man wake up. “We’re here to break you out and apologise for the trouble our presence has brought you and yours,” she said sincerely. Bard eyed them both suspiciously.

“Haven’t you lot done enough?” he hissed eyeing the sleeping Guards.

“Probably,” Nori shrugged, “and probably gonna cause a lot more chaos too by the sounds of that prophecy of yours.”

“Then why do it when you know it will be the death of us?” Bard snarled

“Because it is their home,” Billa responded sharply. Not liking the tone, the Man was using with Nori. “And it need not be the death of you at all,” she snapped, unimpressed. “That is why we are here, making at least one wrong a right.”

Bard looked at her startled and Nori snorted. “Better listen to her, she gets downright nasty if you piss her off,” Nori said amused, grinning at the glare he received from Billa.

“Now do you have somewhere you can lay low for a while?” Billa asked.

“Yes,” Bard nodded.

“Good, go there. A few of our Company will not be able to continue with us, and we are very aware that the Master will not be of any help to them. Our Healer will be taking our injured companion to your house, and I am willing to bet will pass on any words you may have for your children,” Billa said firmly. “There’s no point arguing, Mister Bard. Find comfort that there will be at least two able-bodied Dwarrow Warriors capable of defending your children from harm.”

Bard studied her for several moments. “Alright then, what is your plan?”

Billa shared a glance with Nori. “We will be heading to the Mountain with our Companions, the prophecy may speak of destruction, but it also speaks of the successful return of Dwarrow to Erebor. We may not be able to circumvent waking the Dragon,” Billa said sorrowfully, and admittedly a little queasy.

“But we also don’t want to doom the Men of Laketown to a firey, watery grave either,” Nori continued. “And that’s where you come in Mister Man-Of-The-People.”

“What has that got to do with anything?” Bard demanded.

“It means the people will listen to you,” Billa stated drily with a slight roll of her eyes before her expression became serious again. “Instill the fear of death in the people, get them to safety as quickly and as quietly as you can. Do not get yourself locked back up. Oín – our Healer – will help you as will the other Dwarrow once Oín fills them in. We know we cannot save everyone, but you can damn well be sure we are going to try. The others will try with or without you Mister Bard,” Billa said bluntly, “but I can make an honest bet that they will have greater success if you worked with them.”

Bard studied the odd duo in front of him for several silent minutes. Contemplating their words, before he nodded once. “Alright then, I may not trust the word of your – King but I will trust yours, Miss Baggins,” he said determinedly. “Your companions spoke highly of you while you were ill, and I can see that you genuinely want to help. I pray that we are all wrong and the Dragon is dead, but I don’t have the best luck in the world, so I won’t count on empty prayers.”

“Well that settles it, I assume your son knows where your hiding place is?” Billa asked receiving a nod in affirmation. “Good, Oín will use him as a messenger then. Is there anything you want us to pass on?”

“My love for them, and assurances that it’s all going to be alright,” Bard said immediately and Billa smiled.

“Aye, we can do that,” Nori agreed. “But we have got to get back, and you have got to disappear before anyone can catch you,” the Thief said reminding Billa and informing Bard. “Best get to that now while we still have the darkness to cover the trail. May the Valar be with you Bowman, I pray Mahal and his Lady protect you and yours,” the redhead said before taking Billa’s hand and leading her away quickly, stoically ignoring the proud smile stretched across the hobbit’s face.

Morning came quickly, and Billa wished it hadn’t. She had slept well enough for someone who knew the truth of their destination and had mechanically readied herself for travel. Being sure to layer up with thick woolen leggings beneath her trousers and the toasty woolen jumper Ori had surprised her with the morning before, over her linen shirt but beneath her jerkin and wolf lined coat. Oín had even forced her into her cloak as well once she had met with the others out the front of the guest house. They were led down to the main channel with much fanfare from the crowd of townsfolk, and the Master was making quite the deal of it with plenty of pomp and foppery.

Billa realised after mental tally that Bofur was missing once they reached the main channel and were beginning to prep the boat they would be using to get to the other side of the lake. “You do know we’re one short, right?” she asked Thorin who was loudly hurrying the Men who were filling the boat with the gifted supplies. “Where’s Bofur?”

“If he’s not here, we leave him behind,” Thorin responded harshly and Billa recoiled turning to Balin for a more logical reason.

“We have to,” the Advisor sighed with an almost apologetic shake of his head. “If we’re to find the door before nightfall on Durin’s Day, we can risk no more delays.”

Billa accepted Balin’s explanation with a sad nod. But she was in a way grateful that Oín would have one more person to help him. Then came the part that nearly shattered Billa’s resolve to continue to the Mountain. She caught sight of Kíli just as he was about to clamber on board with unsteady feet. He looked awful. Grey and pallid. Eyes alight with fever, and no doubt pain.

“Not you,” Thorin ordered firmly, stopping Kíli from boarding. “We must travel with speed; you will slow us down.”

Billa felt tears prick her eyes, as a burning anger filled her belly at the way Thorin spoke to Kíli. That was his nephew!

“What are you talking about?” Kili chuckled weakly. “I’m coming with you.”

“No,” Thorin responded bluntly. Fíli who had already boarded looked between his uncle and his brother.

“I’m going to be there when that door is opened, when we first look upon the halls of our fathers, Thorin,” Kili said as strongly as he could, Billa could already hear a desperation in his voice. A pleading she knew would go ignored. And how it wrenched at her to keep silent.

She almost believed Thorin when he spoke next; that he was once again the loving uncle of two young Dwarrow. “Kíli, stay here. Rest. Join us when you’re healed.”

Billa couldn’t watch as Oín disembarked saying, “I’ll stay with the lad. My duty lies with the wounded.”

“Uncle, we grew up on tales of the mountain. Tales you told us. You can’t take that away from him!” Fíli demanded. He ignored the forceful use of his name by his uncle continuing, “I will carry him if I must!”

Billa almost snapped at Thorin over his next words. “One day you will be king, and you will understand. I cannot risk the fate of this quest for the sake of one dwarf, not even my own kin.” She watched jealously as Fíli disembarked the boat. “Fili don’t be a fool. You belong with the Company.”

She applauded Fíli’s regal stance when he turned to face his uncle, stood at his brother’s side. “I belong with my brother,” he retorted harshly.

They were soon pulling away from the pier to the eerily jaunty music of the musicians the Master had organised. Billa did her best to focus on the next part of their quest even though the very idea filled her with dread. She only hoped she’d done enough for the innocent people of Esgaroth who no doubt would have their lives uprooted very soon.

Too soon.

Thorin had set a brutal pace for them as soon as their small boat reached the far shores of the Long Lake. Despite being so close to their goal, the Dwarrow had fallen completely silent. To some extent Billa could understand the elder Dwarrow’s silence; for some of them it had been the first time they had returned to their homeland while for others it was their first sight of it with their own eyes.

But Billa felt the silence was equally caused by the unease the Company felt with their Leader. Thorin was changed; that much was clear to her and appeared to rapidly be occurring to the others. The King-In-Exile had been acting strangely since they had escaped the Elves, prior to that he had had a few odd episodes but only when someone mentioned the Mountain. Now it seemed to consume him. Billa had taken to sharing concerned glances with Balin, when Thorin would kick up a fuss each time they stopped for the night.

It was a five-day trek up the foothills of the Mountain till they reached the ruins of the once prosperous city of Dale.

“It’s so quiet,” Billa said quietly to Balin from where they stood a few feet away from the Company who had stopped for a meal much to Thorin’s grumbling dissent.

“Wasn’t always like this,” the old Dwarf said sorrowfully. “Once, these slopes were lined with woodlands. The trees were filled with birdsong.”

“And that,” Billa asked, gesturing halfheartedly at what she knew was once Dale.

“It was once the city of Dale. Now it is a ruin. A monument to the desolation of Smaug,” Balin responded. Billa let her emerald green eyes survey the wasteland that covered the valley between them and the ruined City, to the Mountain beyond.

“We’ll be staying here for a while, won’t we?” she asked the Advisor curiously, eyeing the ash covered ground.

“For a short time yes, I’d imagine. We need a bit of a breather and it seems Thorin is content enough with our proximity to the Mountain that we can afford a short respite,” he answered. Emerald eyes glittered, and Billa was soon sat on the ashy soil and pulling off her boots and socks.

“Bi-Bilbo!” Nori called out catching sight of her. “What do you think you’re doing, Oín will have your hide! He told you to stay warm!”

“Oh, shut it Nori,” Billa responded. “This is the first time I will have felt the earth beneath my feet in months. Plus, I want to test something.”

Nori grumbled at her retort but instead of rebuking her walked over to join Balin in watching her. Billa ignored both Dwarrow and pushed herself into a crouch; happily shoving her naked toes into the soft ashy soil followed shortly thereafter by her fingers. She let out a content little sigh as she began to reach out with her consciousness into the earth like she had been taught as a faunt. She was interested to know if the land was as dead as it appeared or if it was simply lying dormant, and in need of some coaxing.

“What are you doing Miss Billa,” Balin asked curiously, his Durin blue eyes studying her closely.

“There’s a trick all Hobbits are taught as faunts,” she said. “While many don’t have a solid connection to our inherent magics anymore, all Hobbits have a knack for growing things – well almost all, Lobelia certainly seems to kill off more of her vegetables than she does grow them.”

“And what’s that got to do with you looking like a madwoman and burying your hands and feet in the dirt?” Nori asked sardonically.

Billa shot a petulant look at Nori before shutting her eyes again; she’d almost had it. “Well when we are faunts, the first thing we are taught to do is connect our consciousness to the earth. Every Hobbit has a connection to the earth, we did once sprout from it as legend has it,” she answered. “It’s a very important part of our culture that a Hobbit can feel when the earth is good and when it needs urgent care. It’s why the Shire is always as lushly green as it is, there is always someone listening out for its greatest needs.”

“And is that what you are doing now? Connecting with the earth?” Balin asked fascinated.

“I’m trying to, yes. I am no LandHealer so I am not as in tune with it as they are, but I am still fairly adept at it,” she responded. “There is life here, that much I can tell. The earth is simply asleep, dormant. I have no doubt that with the right amount of coaxing those woodlands you spoke of will very soon be lush and plentiful again. The ash from the DragonFire will be an excellent fertiliser too, so they may very well be more bountiful than before,” she said after a short pause, her forehead creasing with concentration.

“Really?” Nori asked, slightly surprised. He surveyed the earth in front of him and had to admit it didn’t look like much.

“Yes. I have no doubt that it would make excellent farmland should that be a future possibility,” Billa said, gently disentangling her consciousness from the sleepy tendrils of the earth and opening her eyes. She felt rejuvenated from her brief contact with the earth. Balin’s eyes were wide, and Billa could almost hear the gears whirring beneath his wispy white hair when she looked up at him. “I know its not much right now but it’s all I can do.”

“You’ve done more than enough lass,” Balin said after clearing his throat. “You’ve given an old Dwarrow hope.”

Billa smiled. “There is always hope Balin,” she said, “even when it seems there can be none.”

“Perhaps you are right lassie, perhaps you’re right,” the Advisor responded with his own smile.

The Company’s brief respite was interrupted by Thorin not long after and soon they were back on their feet. Billa’s rejuvenated energy waned as they continued to make their way across the desolation. The closer they got to the Mountain the more fanatic Thorin became, and Billa found herself avoiding him as much as possible although she could never escape his unsettling gaze for long. The copper-haired hobbit-lass had noticed that the King’s icy blue eyes seemed to track her every move. At first, she thought he had grown suspicious of her again but the few times she had met his gaze it was not suspicion she saw. The glint of obsession she’d seen in his gaze chilled her to the bone and left her cold. The small altercation they had had over waiting for Gandalf at the overlook had not helped matters, and Billa was growing anxious.

She found the matter troubling and had taken to brooding over it. The nagging sensation she’d felt multiple times over the course of their journey had returned full force, and she was frustrated that she could not remember or put her finger on what was concerning her. It seemed after four days of her silent brooding Nori had had enough of it and when they had set up camp that night had rather forcefully ushered her away from the others. The Thief led her a good distance away from the camp on the pretense of scouting the area before he stopped and gave her a rather pointed look.

“What is going on in that pretty little head of yours, Bil,” he asked pointedly, and Billa didn’t even think to argue with his tone. Spotting a boulder nearby she clambered up it and plopped down on it, her emerald eyes scanning the desolated Ereborean plains. “Bilbo?” Nori prompted; having followed her and sat down next to her.

“There is something wrong with Thorin,” she answered bluntly.

“There’s more to it then that Bilbo,” Nori retorted with a stern gaze. “You aren’t the type to simply state the obvious.”

Billa glanced at him through the side of her eye and sighed. “Something about the Mountain is bothering me – about the Quest; Thorin. All of it,” she replied exasperated. Eyebrows furrowed and a frown pulling at her rosebud lips. “From the minute we stepped foot out of the Shire, something or other has tried to stop us and while I didn’t think the Quest would be easy – you know what I thought about it – I still find it strange.”

“You’re talking about the Assassination attempts and the brigand I silenced in Bree,” Nori said. It wasn’t a question.

“Yes. The messenger was obviously connected to the Orcs, and most likely to this Binakhrâm'khî that was named in Dís’ letter. Then there is also – right before the Orcs found us after the Trolls – the Grey One and Radagast had the strangest conversation. There was talk of the spiders and of Dol Guldur, and the Necromancer that has apparently taken up residence there. Radagast apparently found a blade; said it ‘wasn’t from the land of the living’.  I can’t for the life of me figure out why I found this so concerning,” she ranted slightly, huffing. “Then there was the strange conversation between Thorin, Balin, Gandalf and Beorn before the Offering Ceremony; Beorn spoke of an alliance between Moria and Dol Guldur. Why the Orcs would ally with a Necromancer I have no clue. Of course, Beorn only confused me more on the morning of our departure when he told me: ‘Beware the gold fever. Dwarves can be greedy and blind, blind to the lives of those they deem lesser than their own. Run at the first sign, and don’t ever look back. Those who fall to the fever are doomed to fail.’”

Nori’s eyes widened slightly, before his expression turned contemplative. “Magrûn is likely speaking of the Gold Sickness, it is an ailment of the mind that affects some Dwarrow. Thrór is the most infamous to have succumbed to it – it is said he was completely mad with the obsession and fever for gold and precious metals and gems,” the Thief said, though his eyes were distant his thoughts focused elsewhere: more prominently on the connection between Moria and Dol Guldur.

“Ugh! I just wish I understood what is going on!” Billa exclaimed, emerald eyes flashing in irritation. “From the Binakhrâm'khî, and it’s relations to the assassinations and the mine collapse in New Norgrod. To the Orcs hounding us endlessly like foxes after rabbits. To Thorin’s bizarre obsessive behaviour. My gut is telling me that this is all linked somehow, I just can’t decipher it!”

“All of it or just some of it?” Nori asked curious, having snapped out of his contemplation at her exclamation. Over the years they had been friends, Nori had learned to trust Billa’s instincts almost as much as his own.

Billa considered it, eyebrows furrowed. “No,” she said after several moments. “Not all. Or at least not all directly.”

“What do you mean?”

“My gut is telling me to be wary of the alliance between Moria and Dol Guldur,” she answered glancing at him. “And if there is an alliance between those two dark strongholds what does that mean for the connection to the Binakhrâm'khî and the Gundabad and Moria Orcs that have been hunting us? Thorin’s obsessive behaviour feels associated but not directly linked. It has more to do with the Mountain.”

Nori frowned; eyes dark. “I see what you mean. I can understand your concerns.”

“I just don’t get why we would be getting hunted down by Azog. I know he holds a grudge against the Line of Durin but even that does not fully explain the nigh compulsive need he has had to hunt us halfway across Middle Earth. Even if there is a connection to the Binakhrâm'khî I don’t see an Orc following a Dwarrow’s orders – though I am assuming this Binakhrâm'khî is a Dwarrow,” she said her tone still frustrated. “Also, where was Azog? I only saw his second in command – Bolg? I think, the other white Orc – when they attacked us during our escape of the ElvenKing’s Halls.”

“If there is an alliance between Moria where Azog rules and Dol Guldur where you said there is a Necromancer, perhaps he has gone there,” Nori said contemplatively. “But that doesn’t explain why we are still being hunted if he is not the one leading the Orc Pack.”

“Is it even because of the Quest?” Billa thought aloud. “I mean, if the Pack is tied to the Binakhrâm'khî wouldn’t they already know our destination? Why wouldn’t they have just organised an ambush here at the Mountain? That would be the most logical wouldn’t it?”

Nori’s frowned deepened. “I think you’re right about there being more to this, then just being hunted down by a vengeful Orc Pack,” he said. “Perhaps, once we have finished what we came here to do we should speak to Balin. He might have something to add or know more than we do about certain things.”

“Perhaps you’re right,” she sighed, shoulders slumping slightly. “There is no use me brooding over all of this when we have a job to do. Thorin’s behaviour is probably just stress caused by a desire to reach the Door on time,” she reasoned, though even as she said it, she did not believe it. One look at Nori and it was obvious to her that neither did he. Still they silently agreed to keep quiet for the time being and went to finish the rest of their ‘scouting mission’.

One thing at a time, Billana, she thought to herself. One thing at a time.

Late the next day – with three days to go till Durin’s Day – the Company arrived at the base of the Lonely Mountain. All Billa could think of, while the ten of them stood before it’s colossal gates framed by exquisitely carved statues of equally immense size; was the firey being that lay amidst the Horde of Thrór. Lying in wait for someone to enter its conquered domain and disturb it’s slumber.

Where feelings of awe and wonder should have been, all she could feel was icy cold dread creeping up her spine to grip at her heart.

Emerald eyes met icy blue and widened; where once was pure Durin blue now was an iris encircled by pure gold and glittering ominously. But in a blink of an eye it was gone.

Chapter Text

Kíli had barely been able to believe that Thorin – that his Uncle – had left him behind and while he was not alone thanks to Fíli and Oín both electing to stay with him, he could not hide his despair. After discovering the Bofur had also been left behind, Kíli doubled over as pain consumed him. His body was on fire and his leg was at it’s centre.

He collapsed as his weakened body refused to sustain his weight and would have fallen on his face had Bofur and Fíli not caught him. The rest was a blur as his fever rose to new heights as whatever foul poison that had tainted the arrow continued its lethal conquest. He barely felt it as his companions carried him towards the Masters’ House only to be turned away, as his consciousness faded in and out. The next conscious memory he had was of being carried by his brother and Bofur to the Bowman’s house, and Oín speaking quietly with Bard’s children. Next, he was laid out on a bed, his body burning and vision blurry. He could do no more than groan and cry out in pain, as the waves of firey agony crashed through him. He missed Oín instructing Bofur to go look for Kingsfoil, and thus the hatted Dwarrow’s departure: including his rather unnecessary instruction ‘don’t move.’

He was barely conscious when the Orcs attacked, and while he drifted in his agony his Healer and brother fought to protect him and the children.

The arrival of the elves had been timely, and the Orcs were efficiently dealt with with their aid.

“You killed them all!” Bain said staring between the Elves and the Dwarrow in surprise.

“There are others,” the blond Prince of the Woodland Realm said sternly. “Tauriel, come.” However, to the Dwarrows’ surprise the red-haired Captain of the Guard did not move to leave with her Prince.

Oín who had been ignoring the others to return to his patient, swore loudly. “We’re losing him!” The healer who while gruff usually remained calm turned to look frantically at the door hoping beyond hope that Bofur would return with the much needed Kingsfoil. In doing so he caught sight of the torn expression the red head elleth wore, though it mattered not to him if she stayed or left. Though Oín would forever remember the sight of her face upon seeing Bofur return with the herb.

“Athelas,” she breathed, taking it from him and reverently examining it.

“What are you doing?” Bofur exclaimed, harried. His hat askew, and a fresh cut on his cheek.

The elleth turned around decisively, her eyes determined. “I am going to save him,” she responded firmly as she strode over to the fading Dwarrow Archer she had befriended during his incarceration. Oín took one look at her and stepped aside slightly, though not moving far so he could continue to monitor his patient while she worked. 

“Hold him down!”

Kíli roused slightly as the elleth began to chant in the musical tongue of the Eldar, and while his companions found themselves awed by the sight of elvish healing magic, he remained consumed by the fever. Screams echoed as the elleth set to work, and even in their awe the children and the Dwarrow held his flailing limbs to the bed.

As the chanting continued, Kíli found himself enraptured by it; where he had been consumed by pain he was now enchanted by the magic. Staring up at the glowing elleth through glassy brown eyes he began to mutter feverishly.

“Danakhbilis'uzgel.”

“Lie still,” Tauriel ordered, her brow furrowing slightly in concern. Fíli however glanced sharply at his brother, a quick glance at the elleth confirmed that Kíli could not have been speaking of her as her eyes were brown and not green.

“You cannot be her,” Kíli continued to mutter, eyes wide and glassy. “She is far away. Sh-she is far, far away from me. Gone where I cannot go.”

Tauriel looked at her patient confused, although she did not halt her chanting.

“She is of the earth and shines as bright as the sun; she should always be surrounded by her precious living gems.” He raised a hand but did not touch the elleth. “It was but a dream, but do you think she could have loved me?”

“I do not know of who you speak of Kíli Durinson, but by my life or death you will be able to ask her yourself,” Tauriel stated firmly, a small smile on her face. So, the flirtatious Dwarf’s heart had been stolen. “Quiet now, rest. You will not be returning to your Maker’s Halls just yet my young friend.”

The next time Kíli woke, his mind was clear. His memories were hazy, and he struggled to straighten out the timeline of events he could recall. He was surprised to find the red haired elleth had remained when he finally opened his eyes; an action that caught the attention of everyone in the room.

“He’s finally awake!” Fíli cried in relief, turning to the red haired elleth. “I am indebted to you Tauriel of Mirkwood, for healing my brother.”

Tauriel smiled slightly, her eyes wide with surprise. “I would have done it no matter the circumstances young Prince, but your brother is a friend and I would hardly have left him to perish.”

Kíli had struggled into a half upright position, his left calf still aching severely. “Thank you Tauriel, I owe you my life,” he said, grunting slightly as he sat up.

“As I said Kíli, we are friends and I do not leave my friends to suffer.”

“I’ve heard tell of the wonders of elvish medicine. That was a privilege to witness,” Oín said, nodding acknowledgingly at the elleth who smiled.

“What will you do now? You did not leave with your Prince?” Fíli asked moving to help his still struggling brother.

Tauriel frowned slightly, glancing out the window. “I will stay here for the time being, I do not know if the Orcs will come back and I am unsure where Legolas has gone. I would also prefer to remain close by to keep an eye on Kíli’s wound if that is alright with you,” she said after a few moments of thought.

Oín studied her shrewdly for a few moments then looked at Bard’s son Bain. Nodding to himself with a grunt of agreement he interrupted before Fíli could say anything. “Your aid would be greatly appreciated lass, now that Kíli is no longer upon death’s door our focus needs to change.”

“Change? What’re ye talkin’ ab’ut Oín?” Bofur interjected confused.

The grey-haired Healer stared each of the room’s occupants down, including Bard’s children. “Billa and I have come to the conclusion that Bard’s prophecy was in fact a warning,” he stated gruffly. “It tells of the Drake being alive and raining destruction upon Laketown. An event which will undoubtedly occur no matter how careful our Hobbit lass is, thus putting us in a whole lot of danger.”

“Da! He needs to know!” Bain exclaimed worriedly.

“Your father already knows laddie,” Oín reassured the boy. “Billa and Nori sprung him from his gaol cell two nights ago and he is now in hiding. He said you would know where he was.” The boy’s eyes widened for a moment before he nodded. “Good, good. Then we will need to make a plan.”

“A plan for what?” Sigrid asked.

“To save as many of the townspeople as possible,” the Healer said. “I have no doubt the prophecy will come true, and the Dragon will wake. Balin, Billa and I agreed that the least we could do to bear responsibility is to do all we can to help. It will do us no good to make enemies.”

“You knew Thorin wasn’t going to let Kíli go to the Mountain,” Fíli said shrewdly.

Oín just stared at him. “Of course I did, laddie. Just like I knew you would refuse to leave your brother’s side. Now do avoid stating the obvious,” he said, before turning back to the silent elleth ignoring Fíli’s somewhat stunned expression. “Would you be willing to help us lass? The townsfolk of Esgaroth should not suffer the same fate as those of Dale and Erebor two centuries ago when the Dragon first came. We cannot avoid the Dragon, but we can at least do our best to save as many innocent souls as we can.”

She studied him for several long minutes before she smiled slightly. “I will gladly aid you. You are right that the townsfolk should not suffer such a fate. You are honourable, Master Dwarf. You may not have been able to avoid the events that will lead to the fulfilment of such a prophecy, but I am pleased to see that you wish to do what you can to minimise the effects.”

“So, what are we going to do?” Kíli asked, having quietly been connecting the dots: He was proud of Billa’s generous and loving heart, and agreed with her desire to save the townsfolk. He may not have realised the consequences of the prophecy when he had first heard it but now that he was aware, he too wanted to help. Innocents were innocents after all. But he also wasn’t all too keen on alienating and making enemies of the people of Laketown.

“We need to speak with Bard, I think,” Oín said after a moment of consideration. “This is his town afterall, and I doubt we will be very successful on our own.” The healer glanced out the window that faced the mountain and squinted slightly. “I’d wager we have just short of two weeks till Durin’s Day when they will enter the Mountain. Not as long as I would have liked, but long enough to work out a stable, and workable plan,” he said.

“Da won’t be able to sneak back to the house,” Sigrid said quietly, catching the attention of the room. “If he’s been broken out of prison, then the Master’s men will be looking for him. We will have to go to him. But they will likely try to follow us too.”

“We will cross that bridge when it comes to it,” Fíli said reassuringly. “First things first we need to know everything about the town; who can we trust? who do we avoid? And what options do we have to get the people out of harms way.”

Bain’s eyes grew determined and he nodded. “I can help with that, so can Sig and Tilda.”

“Then that’s where we’ll start then,” the blond Prince said firmly, after he received the silent agreement from his fellow Dwarrow.

Oín smiled a bit into his greyed beard at the regal tone of the young Prince, he was learning quickly how to become a good leader and the Healer approved. He glanced around the room at the odd mismatch of conspirators and chuckled under his breath. If they survived this, he would have to ask what kind of Hobbit magic Billa was capable of that could bring together Elves, Dwarrow, and children of Men in such a way. He had no doubts that this was entirely her fault.

In the three days since they had reached the Mountain, Billa had been silently observing Thorin though she was careful not to meet his eyes too often. The Company had immediately set to work searching for the hidden door. The longer it took and the closer to Durin’s Day it came the more manic Thorin seemed to become. It had been Billa’s sharp eyes that had caught sight of the stairs carved into the statue of Thrór that framed the gate, the morning of Durin’s Day.

“You have sharp eyes Billana,” Thorin said with a grin that under normal circumstances Billa would have returned readily. Instead she smiled awkwardly back and nodded before walking towards the statue. The overly jovial expression chilled her.

Painstakingly, they began the arduous task of mounting the stairs and by just after midday, they reached the top. Stepping out onto a hidden shelf in the cliff face, just behind the helmeted head of the statue was a rock walled clearing; with a sheer drop on one side and the mountain face on the other. Billa had not been able to see it from the lower plain and concluded it had been a very well-chosen position for a secret passage into the Mountain.

“This must be it, the hidden door,” Thorin said walking over to run his hand along the rock that lined the clearing as if trying to find it through touch. “Let all those who doubted us, rue this day!” he exclaimed turning back to the Company with the key raised high. Billa did not join them in their cheering, and neither did Ori or Nori although the former did clap and smile awkwardly.

“Right. We have our key, which means that somewhere, there is a keyhole,” Dwalin said, stating the obvious as he walked over to the rock wall and began searching with hands and eyes for a keyhole; several of the others joining him.

Thorin stepped away to the edge of the clearing and stared out towards the sun that was still sitting relatively high in the sky. “The last light of Durin’s Day will shine upon the keyhole.”

 “We should take turns looking for the keyhole, and make sure to eat,” Balin interjected after a moment of silent observation. “We still have several hours of sunlight and if the Moon Runes were truthful then it will be the last light that will reveal the mechanism.”

Billa frowned. “Last light of Durin’s Day,” she muttered to herself. “Last light- hmmm.” She fell deep into thought as she considered the instructions that had been given to them. As the sun began to set and began its slow but steady descent beyond the horizon Thorin began to grow frantic.

“Break it down!” he exclaimed, and Billa shot up from where she’d been sitting.

“No!” she cried out, startling everyone. She had been silent since they had arrived in the clearing. “You might wake the Dragon!”

“Then what do we do?” Thorin snapped harshly, “we are losing the light!”

“Losing the light,” Billa muttered eyebrows furrowed. “And the setting sun and the last light of Durin’s Day will shine upon the keyhole,” she continued growing louder as she looked to the sky, where emerald eyes caught sight of the rising moon sharing the darkening expanse with the setting sun. “The last moon of autumn and the first sun of winter appear in the sky together – last moon of autumn, first sun of – winter.” She snapped her fingers eyes bright ignoring the glare of the King who had been waiting upon her response. “Of course! The last light!”

“What are you on about?” Nori said bewildered.

Billa laughed, almost hysterically. “Moon Runes! I should have known.”

“Billana!” Thorin snapped, demanding her attention.

“The last light of Durin’s Day isn’t the light of the setting sun Thorin,” she answered, emerald eyes shining with delight over solving the riddle. “It’s the light of the last moon of Autumn!” she said pointing up at the illuminated moon. The Company fell silent while Thorin and Balin stared at her; the latter had caught on to what she was saying. Then they heard a knocking sound, as the sun finally set. Billa turned towards the source and spotted a thrush knocking a snail against the rock of the wall. “Stand by the grey stone when the thrush knocks,” she began to intone walking over to the wall to stand close to the thrush that fled in a flurry of feathers upon spotting her. “- and the setting sun with the last light of Durin’s Day will shine upon the keyhole,” she finished, turning her head to watch as the moon reappeared from behind some scattered cloud. All eyes were on her when she turned to look directly at Thorin. The light of the moon slowly began to creep up the wall, his icy glare turned startled as the wall finally awash with the soft silver illumination of the moonlight began to glow and a beam revealed the hidden keyhole.

“I do believe our Hobbit just found the keyhole Thorin,” Balin said, smiling broadly at Billa. Relief was clear in his voice, and she smiled at him her eyes reflecting her own relieved state. Though that relief was replaced by dread when she realised what would follow the opening of that door. Her expression must have revealed her line of thought as Nori and Ori were quick to her side and pulled her away slightly as Thorin headed for the door. Neither of the two Dwarrow seemed concerned to be missing the opening of the door but considering what lay beyond it, Billa felt she could understand. The same anxiety that she could decipher in the eyes of her akrâgbaraf filled her heart as well.

After all, she had been hired on to the Quest to burgle a Dragon.

 Oín stood at the window of Bard’s home, his dark eyes glued to the setting sun marking the last day of Autumn. As the sky shifted from pink and orange to purple to the dusky blue of twilight, the Healer watched silently.

“That’s everybody gone” Kíli reported, as he opened the door to the house removing his hood as he went.

Oín turned to look at the Prince. “So, all the women and children have been ferried across the lake?” he double checked.

“All those we managed to convince,” Kíli answered. “Bard has more influence within the town than I thought, I’d wager an eighty percent majority of the town has evacuated. The men who have volunteered to help try and save the town from fire have finished their preparations and are distracting the Master’s men. While the others are on standby on their barges and dories hidden a good distance away ready to help with any evacuation.”

“Good, and what about Bard?”

“Da has the arrow, and is hiding out nearby the belltower, Sig has left with Tilda with Percy’s wife Maggie and her children,” Bain said from where he was sat at the table, his left leg bouncing with unease.

“I still think ye should’a gon’ wit’ ‘em lad,” Bofur said, patting the boy on his shoulder.

“Da is gonna need my help, I wasn’t going anywhere,” Bain responded firmly.

“What about the other Windlances?” Oín asked Fíli, who had been standing near the hearth.

“We didn’t have the time to make them durable, but they will suffice for what we are planning,” the golden-haired Prince answered. “I had Tauriel and Kíli look them over for me.  I cannot guarantee that the harpoons Blacksmith Gerrad and I strengthened will pierce a Dragon’s hide, but they will certainly be enough to irritate and distract.”

“My team hav’ ‘em ready to place at th’ firs’ sign o’ trouble,” Bofur said, “they’re in th’ attics of the houses’ we’ll be using.”

“And the formation?” Tauriel asked, one red eyebrow raised curiously.

“Exactly th’ way Bard want’d it,” Bofur responded with a grin.

Oín nodded. “Good, the others will have likely entered the Mountain by now if they managed to find the door – which considering they have Billa with them, I don’t doubt they did,” he said, glancing back out the window at the steadily darkening sky.

“So, what do we do now?” Bain asked nervously.

“Now laddie, we wait,” Oín answered grimly. “And pray that we are wrong.”

“I won’t let you go,” Nori said sternly, his voice quiet despite the three akrâgbaraf being separated from the others.

“Nori-” Billa began only to be interrupted by Ori.

“Nori is the more experienced Thief, I also would rather you didn’t go,” the dam said.

Billa shook her head sadly. “I can’t. I must go, it is what I promised I would do,” she said. “Plus, there is a reason Gandalf chose a hobbit. Smaug would know the scent of Dwarrow but he won’t be able to identify a hobbit.”

“That’s hardly a good enough excuse,” Nori snapped, glaring at Billa. “You very well know that Dragon is likely alive!”

“Yes, and if he is asleep, he will no doubt wake up at the first scent of Dwarrow Nori,” she retorted with narrowed eyes. “You know I have a better chance at getting this done. You might have more experience, but I am lighter on my feet and am more capable of going completely unseen.”

“Billa you’ve travelled with Dwarrow for over six months, there is no way you don’t smell of Dwarrow by this point,” Ori tried to argue.

“I know,” Billa responded. “I have a plan for that. One that Oín will no doubt scold me for but if it will help me even slightly, I will have to do it. As soon as the door is open, I am going to have to leave all my belongings behind and go in with only the essentials. But more importantly-” she broke off, glancing pointedly at a bubbling brook that trickled out of a crack in the nearby rock; creating a small waterfall. Nori and Ori followed her gaze with the older of the two’s eyes narrowing sharply.

“Absolutely not!” he said. “You have barely recovered from pneumonia!”

“I will not put this Company or Quest at risk!” Billa responded forcefully, catching the attention of a few of the other Dwarrow. “I will do what I must Nori, I cannot and will not put my friends and family in danger for my own health.”

Before either of them could argue further the three were interrupted by Thorin and Balin approaching. “The door is open, Miss Billa,” Balin said, “we will have you enter soon.”

“Of course, Balin. I will begin my preparations,” she answered not allowing her akrâgbaraf to intervene. “I’m afraid I will have to ask for just a bit of time.”

“As you need,” Balin responded, having sent a look towards Thorin. “But do try to be as quick as you can.”

“As you wish,” Billa agreed with a nod, sweeping away from the Company towards the waterfall she’d pointed out subtlely to Nori and Ori earlier. She was quick with her bathing, using a heavily scented soap she had arranged in Laketown; having recalled one of the few conversations she and Gandalf had had months before about Smaug’s sense of smell. After pulling out a fresh change of clothes she donned them and forgoing her boots, she pulled on a simple jacket that she had Ori pick up for her; leaving her to look like a true hobbit for the first time since she had left the Shire. When she was done, she repacked her belongings and carted them over to the Company who had all taken refuge just inside the door. She had to steel herself to enter the tunnel but after a deep breath she squared her shoulders and passed the threshold.

She couldn’t be surprised to find that Nori had been guarding the entrance to allow her to prepare in privacy. “I still don’t like this,” he said gruffly.

“I know,” she responded with a sad smile. “But I gave my word Nori, it goes against my honour to go back on it.”

“You are stubborn beyond belief Bilbo,” he hissed in frustration, running a hand over the back of his head. Billa didn’t take offence to Nori’s words, she knew it came from a place of fear and more importantly love.

“I know,” she answered quietly sending him an understanding look before turning and continuing down the tunnel till it opened out into a carved hallway. Where the Company had set up the packs, Billa noticed that there was a carving above an archway that led deeper into the Mountain. As she put down her belongings, Gloín spotted her curious gaze and surprised her by reciting the inscription for her.

“Herein lies the seventh kingdom of Durin’s Folk. May the heart of the mountain unite all dwarves in defense of this home,” he said, his voice full of emotion. Billa sent him a look of gratitude, before turning her eyes back and stepping closer to study the carving above the inscription. Balin who had also noticed her study came over to stand beside her.

“The throne of the King,” he said quietly, gesturing to the carving.

“And above it?” she inquired, though she felt she may have had an idea. Thorin and Balin had kept quiet about what it was they wanted her to retrieve but with Billa’s prior understanding of Dwarrow history she had made an educated guess.

“The Arkenstone,” the Advisor answered.

“The King’s stone?” Billa asked curiously turning to look at the Advisor.

“And the reason, Mistress Burglar why you are here,” Thorin said, prowling towards her. Billa could not stop her shoulders from tensing, at the sight of the powerful Dwarf approaching her predatorially. She let her gaze flicker away from Thorin for a second to meet the despairing and worried eyes of Nori, and where before she had only felt fear at the sight of the King she was able to find her courage. A glance at Ori, then at Bifur and Bombur solidified it and she turned back to face Balin and Thorin resolute and determined. Balin met her eyes for a moment searchingly before nodding, and after sharing a look with Thorin turned to lead Billa down the hall.

Once the Advisor and hobbit were a good distance away, Billa felt it was appropriate to ask a few more questions. “You want me to find a jewel?” she clarified.

“A large white jewel, yes,” the Advisor answered as they walked.

“That’s it? Only, I imagine there’s quite a few down there,” she said almost conversationally, her voice trembling slightly with anxiety.

“There is only one Arkenstone. You’ll know it when you see it,” Balin answered.

Billa raised her eyebrows incredulously. “You would trust a hobbit to be able to identify one white jewel from another?” she queried dubiously.

Balin seem surprised for a moment before chuckling to himself. “Aye, I seem to have forgotten that you’re not a Dwarrowdam,” he said with slight amusement. “The Arkenstone is a large oblong jewel polished to perfection. It glows with its own inner light, pulsating with various shades of blue and purple. It will be warm to the touch. But I’m afraid that’s all I know.”

“That’s alright Balin, that will help to narrow down the search,” she responded, committing the description to memory. Balin nodded, he turned away to head back down the hall only to stop a few feet away and look back at Billa.

“In truth, lassie. I do not know what you will find down there. You needn’t go if you don’t want to, there’s no dishonor in turning back,” he said softly, his face open and expressing his concern for her.

Billa smiled sadly at Balin, her eyes showing her gratitude. “No Balin. I promised I would do this, and I think I must try.”

Balin began to chuckle appreciately. “It never ceases to amaze me,” he said.

“What’s that?”

“The courage of hobbits,” he answered with a warm smile. A glance over her shoulder saw his expression shift once more to concern. “Go now, with as much luck as you can muster.”

Billa nodded, turning to walk down the corridor towards the soft illumination that marked her destination. Only for Balin’s voice to halt her steps and have her look back.

“Oh, and Billa. If there is, in fact, a live dragon down there, don’t waken it.” She winced but nodded firmly, sharing a resolute look with the Advisor before starting forward again.

Billa was grateful that she had forgone her boots the further down the hall she walked, as even the most minor sound echoed loudly in the cavernous space. Each step she took was light and quick, and in short order she found herself at the end of the hallway and looking out into a cavern gleaming with mountains upon mountains of gold and jewels. Billa crouched in the doorway and carefully scanned the Treasury from her height advantage but could see no sign of Smaug. Still that did not fool her, she knew the Dragon was there somewhere; the tingle on the back of her neck and the raised hairs along her arms informed her as much, a reaction to the ambient magic she could consciously feel. She stayed where she was for several long moments debating her options, before she pulled out the ring from it’s hiding place around her neck. She stared at the simple gold band with disgust as she came to her decision. She would not put the Dwarrow at risk by being seen, and while her skills at going unseen were formidable she was not confident that she would be able to fool a Dragon’s senses. There was no other way to ensure it, but to use the ring no matter how sickly it made her feel. Taking a deep breath, she slipped it off the leather strap and donned it. Falling into the shadowed world with great unease but determined, nonetheless.

Beginning her descent into the Treasury, Billa did her best to minimise the movement of the coins beneath her feet with careful placement. But she could not halt it completely, the precarious nature of the gold meant that the slightest nudge would send coins skittering away from her; the jingling of falling coins echoing around the cavern. Each time the gold moved, Billa would freeze before carefully moving on. She had decided against picking up anything unless it looked to be the Arkenstone, but so far, she was having very little luck. The next step Billa took was misjudged and the coins she had been standing on gave way and she lost her footing, sending her tumbling down the mountain of coins along with the gold. To Billa’s immense horror the avalanche of coins revealed the eye of Smaug, and while it was closed, she could not contain her fright and jumped back hiding behind a stone pillar. She waited for several minutes, ears twitching to catch even the slightest sound in the silence. Finally, she determined the Dragon must still be asleep and just as she was about to step out from the pillar to continue her search, he snorted. The treasure around his snout falling away to reveal it only a few dozen feet away. Panic bubbled in Billa’s belly, and she quickly and as quietly as she could began to descend the mountain of gold the Dragon was sleeping under.

The sound of gold rippling and clanging caught her attention and Billa stopped short in realisation. The Dragon’s body was buried in a large circle surrounding where she was currently standing. More movement caught her eye and Billa watched horrified as Smaug began to move, the gold rippling as his strong muscular body was revealed. In a matter of moments, the Dragon’s long snakelike neck rose from where it had been buried and though his eye was closed Billa felt her heart freeze in her chest.

Smaug was awake. 

As the Dragon’s eye snapped open, Billa dived behind a pile of gold; for a moment forgetting her invisibility.

“Well, thief, I smell you. I hear your breath. I feel your air. Where are you?” The growling voice of the Dragon chilled Billa to her core, her fear doubled by the way Smaug was moving his head back and forth around the place she was hiding.

Panicked, Billa began to run down the mountain of gold with the Dragon following her movements rapidly despite her being invisible. Ducking behind a stone outcropping she cursed herself silently. Of course, he could see where she had been from the way the coins had been dislodged beneath her feet. Crouching down to catch her breath and steady her heartbeat, Billa kept an eye on the searching Dragon.

“Come now, don’t be shy. Step into the light. Mmm, there is something about you, something you carry,” he was saying, his voice coaxing and almost conversational. “Something made of gold, but far more...PRECIOUSSSSS!” While he spoke, his head snaked closer and closer to her hiding place. The growled out ‘precious’ reverberated in her head over and over and she winced at the sharp pain that struck at her temples at the word. A flaming eye bursts across her vision and she gasped in agony. Startled she yanked the Ring off, becoming visible to Smaug. “There you are, thief in the shadows.”

Realising she had made a mistake, Billa did the first thing that came to mind. Distraction. “I did not come to steal from you, O Smaug the Unassessably Wealthy. I merely wanted to gaze upon your magnificence, to see if you really were as great as the old tales say. I did not believe them,” she said, hiding her fear behind a saccharine voice and smile. At her words the Dragon stomped several yards away an drew himself up to reveal his tremendous body. Billa’s eyes widened at the sight of the massive dragon with two large muscular hind legs, bat-like wings of immense wingspan with lethally sharp claws attached and the extensive length of both his tail and neck ending with his giant head and snout. Mouth filled with razor-sharp teeth.

“And, do you you now?” he growled with great intensity.

“Truly, the tales and songs fall utterly short of your enormity, O Smaug the Stupendous,” Billa answered, ensuring her voice was laced with awe.

“Do you think flattery will keep you alive?” the Dragon inquired.

“I would not dare to think so, O Smaug the Mighty,” she answered.

“No, indeed,” he responded confirming her suspicions. She needed to think up an escape plan, and fast. “You seem familiar with my name, but I don’t remember smelling your kind before. Who are you, and where do you come from, may I ask?”

As the Dragon’s head snaked closer disturbing the layers of treasure, a gleaming white jewel caught Billa’s eyes. It was large, about the size of an eagle egg and gave off a soft white illumination which had been what caught her eye.

“I- I come from under the hill,” she said returning her attention to the Dragon.

“Underhill?”

Sneaking a peak out of the corner of her eye she determined she wasn’t that far away from where the Arkenstone had settled partially buried. She nodded. “And under hills and over hills my path has led. And, and, through the air. I am she who walks unseen.”

“Impressive. What else do you claim to be?” Smaug asked snaking his head forward until his giant teeth were inches from Billa’s face. She could not help her grimace at the stench of the Dragon’s breath as he exhaled on her.

“I am luck-wearer. Riddle-maker,” she answered holding her ground.

“Lovely titles; go on.”

“Barrel-rider,” she said, sneaking another glance at her jewel quarry.

“Barrels? Now that is interesting. And what about your little Dwarf friends? Where are they hiding?” Smaug asked, leaning his head away from her to survey the room.

“Dwarves? No, no, no Dwarves here. You’ve got that all wrong,” she said, losing her calm tone ever so slightly.

“Oh, I don’t think so, barrel-rider. They sent you in here to do their dirty work while they skulk about outside,” he said.

Billa’s heart thundered in her chest. “Truly, you are mistaken, O Smaug, Chiefest and Greatest of calamities.”

“You have nice manners – for a thief and a liar! I know the smell and taste of Dwarf. No one better. It is the gold! They are drawn to treasure like flies to dead flesh,” he growled turning away from her stomping around and knocking the Arkenstone from its place. Billa gasped and ran after the stone immediately, chasing it as it bounced down the mountain of gold. “Did you think I did not know this day would come? When a pack of canting dwarves would come crawling back to the mountain!” Smaug roared, startling Billa and making her trip and slide down the gold. Smaug followed her knocking over a stone pillar in his rage. The reverberations were immense as the pillar fell to the ground, breaking into smaller pieces upon impact.

“The King under the mountain is dead. I took his throne!” Smaug roared searching for her. Unable to breath from where she had been partially buried under the gold that had fallen with her, she burst out of the pile just beneath Smaug’s claw. She made a run for it down a nearby exposed staircase towards where she could see the Arkenstone still descending and leaped off the side as Smaug’s head swung towards her.

“I ate his people like a wolf among sheep.” At this point Billa was barely listening to the tirade, as she pursued the Arkenstone as the Dragon pursued her. “I kill where I wish, when I wish. My armor is iron.” Billa slid under a covered stone structure just after the Arkenstone although it skittered towards the other side of the structure and she was halted by the Dragon’s heavy landing on top. “No blade can pierce me!”

Billa slowly started to crawl towards the Arkenstone only to dive behind a pillar as Smaug cricled it. “It’s Oakenshield. That filthy dwarvish usurper! He sent you in here for the Arkenstone, didn’t he?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she responded airily, mostly due to her inability to breathe properly more so than purposefully done.

“Don’t bother denying it. I guessed his foul purpose some time ago. But it matters not. Oakenshield’s quest will fail. The darkness is coming, it will spread to every corner of the land.”

Billa saw an opportunity to further distract the Dragon. Keep him talking! She thought to herself furiously. “Which darkness is that? I have heard tale of an alliance between Moria and a Necromancer of Dol Guldur,” she said conversationally.

“You are well informed for a thief,” Smaug responded, moving his head from where he had been seeking her beneath the structure. “Indeed, there is an alliance between the Orcs of Moria and Gundabad and the Powers of Dol Guldur, but you are wrong about the nature of the alliance.”

“Oh? Please then, tell me O Smaug the Knowledgeable,” she requested.

“I don’t see why not, you won’t be leaving this Mountain alive,” he mused. “It is no Necromancer that lies in Dol Guldur, but an Old Power. One of great darkness, he has been searching the lands to the east for something for centuries and seeks this Mountain as a Stronghold.” Billa used the Dragon’s distraction to make another dash for the Arkenstone, even as fear filled her at the insinuations Smaug was making. “You have been used, thief in the shadows. You were only ever a means to an end. The coward Oakenshield has weighed the value of your life and found it worth nothing. Not that it would matter, there comes an army which will see this land surrendered to the Powers of Darkness.”

Billa upon hearing Smaug once more on top of the structure, made a final run for the stone that lay not but a few feet away. Unfortunately, Smaug spotted her, and whipping his tail sent both the hobbit, Arkenstone and a spray of coins flying. Billa tumbled roughly, the force of her landing winding her as she came to a hard stop against a pillar.

“My teeth are swords! My claws are spears! My wings are a hurricane!” As Smaug displayed his wings, Billa noticed a scale missing. So the legend of Girion was true! The Dragon settled back to stalk Billa and the Arkenstone that lay a few feet away, gazing between the two.

“I am almost tempted to let you take it. If only to see Oakenshield suffer, watch it destroy him, watch it corrupt his heart and drive him mad,” the Dragon said as they faced off, Billa having finally gotten to her feet. “But I think not. I think our little game ends here. So, tell me, thief. How do you choose to die?” he said rearing back his head, his chest beginning to glow within. As Smaug's head streaked forward jaws open, Billa donned the ring and disappeared diving out of the way and snatching up the Arkenstone as she passed it. She counted on the Dragon to be distracted by his own rage and took the opportunity to run past the large creature dislodging coins as she ran. The heat of the Dragon’s fire seared her feet as the gold began to heat and she was grateful when she reached the stone staircase that would lead out of the Treasury. Despite her lack of breath, she did not stop running until she was well and truly out of sight. Ripping off the ring she panted heavily, gasping for breath for a few moments before she began to run trying to reach the hall she had entered from. She reached the other side of the Treasury and stumbled out onto the overhang she had entered from when she stumbled into Thorin.

“You’re alive!” he exclaimed.

“Nor for much longer!” she panted heavily glancing over her shoulder to the flames she could see.

“Did you find the Arkenstone?” Thorin demanded grabbing at her.

“The Dragon’s coming!” she shouted; this was not the time to be asking stupid questions.

“The Arkenstone!” Thorin demanded harshly his grip tightening. They were both standing at the entrance to the tunnel, but the King was blocking her way of escape. His voice was quiet when he spoke again, though the intensity was still present. “Did you find it?”

Billa stared at him for a moment, panting heavily before she made a decision. “No. We have to get out!” She’d be damned if they were going to do this now, she tried to pass by him into the tunnel only to be met with Thorin’s blade. She stumbled back her eyes wide with fear as he followed her movements the blade still pressed against her chest. “Thorin?”  He stepped forward, forcing her to step back else she be stabbed. Emerald eyes stared wildly in fear at the blank expression and manic gleam in the King’s eyes. Before she could speak again a sound caught her attention and turning her head to the side, she saw Smaug approaching over the mountains of treasure. It was clear the Dragon had caught sight of Thorin, by the rumbling snarl he let out. The other Dwarves arrived armed right at that moment.

“You will burn!” the Dragon roared, his chest and neck glowing before he bellowed fire straight at them. Billa launched herself off the staircase the others not far behind sending them all tumbling down the pile of treasure. They landed near the entrance to another tunnel which they all ran towards.

“Come on, Billa!” Dori exclaimed reaching for her and tugging the slowing hobbit behind him as they entered the tunnel. Thorin had been the last one in the door, pushed in by the force of the flames. Running into the room at the other end of the tunnel they had all stopped in he threw himself on the ground, rolling to extinguish the flames that had caught his coat.

Billa was gasping for breath, adrenaline the only thing keeping her standing. Soon they were running again, as they moved through Erebor they began to slow down. Stealth becoming more important then speed. Billa hardly paid attention to what the other Dwarrow were planning, instead trying to focus more on her breathing. As they sneaked across one of the thousands of bridges of the Dwarven city a coin fell from above and rang loudly. Billa startled, immediately stopping to search her coat and clothing to ensure it hadn’t been her. The answer came when another coin fell and upon looking up, they saw Smaug stalking the upper levels searching for them. The Dragon had yet to see them, so they continued on silently.

Billa’s feet were blistered and bleeding by the time they had reached the Western Guardroom which had been their apparent destination. Despite the agony, she was distracted by the nausea she felt upon the sight of the skeletal remains of the Dwarrow who never escaped the Mountain. The cob—webbed room, was but a tomb with no exit in sight.

“That’s it then. There’s no way out,” Dwalin concluded gruffly, as they studied the rockslide that had blocked the exit.

“The last of our kin. They must have come here, hoping beyond hope. We could try to reach the Mines. We might last a few days,” Balin said, sorrow audible in his voice.

“No,” Thorin refuse. “I will not die like this. Cowering, clawing for breath. We make for the forges.”

“He’ll see us, sure as death!” Dwalin exclaimed.

“Not if we split up,” Thorin responded strongly. Billa remained silent, there was little she could add to the conversation.

“Thorin, we’ll never make it,” Balin said.

“Some of us might. Lead him to the Forges. We kill the Dragon,” he said, eyes determined and posture regal. “If this is to end in fire, then we will all burn together.”

Billa’s heart thundered in her chest. He was mad. Still once the Company was split into four teams with Thorin refusing to let Billa out of his sight, they ran. As expected Smaug caught up to them, but between the three teams running in opposite directions he had a hard time choosing which band to follow. Billa kept close on Thorin’s heel, her only focus to keep running when they entered a large hallway.

“It’s this way! This way! Come on!” Balin called ducking into a side tunnel.

“Thorin!” Billa cried to the still running King. Thorin turned and was about to head back towards her when she heard Smaug. Glancing over her shoulder she saw the Dragon at the end of the hallway.

“Follow Balin!” he ordered.

“Thorin!” Billa cried aghast even as Balin grabbed her and pulled her into the side tunnel, just as Smaug’s chest lit up and he unleashed his flames throughout the hall.

“Come on!” Balin said as he pulled the hobbit behind him, dragging her along as he ran. Billa let the Advisor lead her to the Forges. They met up with Ori, Dori, Bifur, Bombur, Gloín and Dwalin and Billa’s heart froze when she couldn’t see Nori or Thorin. Though that eased ever so slightly when the two appeared unharmed.

“The plan’s not going to work. These furnaces are stone cold,” Dwalin said.

“He’s right; there’s no fire hot enough to set them ablaze,” Balin agreed with his younger brother.

“Have we not?” Thorin asked, turning towards the pit he and Nori had just run from. “I did not look to see you so easily outwitted!” he taunted, as Smaug’s claw emerged from the pit, his body following it. “You have grown slow and fat in your dotage.”

Smaug snarled.

“Slug,” Thorin taunted. As Smaug continued to snarled and advance, the Dwarrow King got behind a pillar. “Take cover! Go!” he ordered the others. Billa dived in to cover beside Nori, overshooting slightly and tumbling into the wall. She grunted in pain as her head collided with the wall only to hiss as the heat radiating from the flames bellowed towards them seared her bare and bleeding feet. Thankfully, Thorin’s plan to use DragonFire to ignite the furnaces worked and they were once again running. She did as she was ordered, climbing at Thorin’s command up to a lever he wanted her to pull. Smaug’s weight finally bent the latticework of metal that had blocked him from the Forge, and he stalked in. Billa found she was too busy to be afraid as he stalked towards her, and instead watched Thorin for her mark.

“Now!” he cried, as Smaug turned to snarl at him. Billa jumped into the air pulling down on the lever just as Smaug lunged towards Thorin. Colossal jets of water spewed out of the carved faces in the wall behind Billa and slammed into Smaug, dousing the flames he had been readying and knocking him off balance. The Dragon slid into the side of the furnace due to the force of the water and roared in fury. He took to the air and began to thrash about madly, even as the jets of water caused the watermill to begin turning gears starting the conveyor belts. With her job done, Billa began her descent keeping an eye on the Dragon as it crawled towards Thorin, Balin’s flash-flames nothing but a minor irritant. Gloín’s severing of the rope of the conveyor however was a well-timed distraction with the belt that had been moving a large amount of heavy rock and ore falling. Dropping tonnes of rock onto the beast and making him fall to the ground, roaring in pain and rage.

The target of the plan had been achieved as Billa watched the molten gold travel in the trough out of the Forges.

“Lead him to the Gallery of the Kings,” Thorin yelled. Billa following the others as she had no idea where she was going began to run. Doing her best to dodge the Dragon’s tail, somehow Smaug ended up pursuing her instead of Thorin and it was all she could do to keep running when she found the stone slide. Leaping onto the slide, Billa used her small size to her advantage and flattened herself to gain speed. With the extra speed Billa ended up launching herself from the slide, tumbling forwards. She regained her feet quickly and continued to sprint the Dragon hot on her bleeding heels. She ran through the doorway ahead of her into a gargantuan hall adorned with banners hundreds of feet tall. Behind her the wall above the doorway exploded as Smaug jumped through it, forcing Billa to dodge frantically from the flying rock and debris. She was caught beneath the heavy cloth of a falling banner that knocked her to the floor, and she struggled to free herself from the fabric.

“You think you could deceive me, Barrel-rider?” Smaug roared infuriated, as Billa peeked out from beneath the banner having managed to reach its edge. “You have come from Laketown. There is- is some sort of scheme hatched between these filthy dwarves and those miserable cup-trading Lakemen. Those sniveling cowards with their longbows and black arrows!” Emerald eyes widened at the mixture of anger and fear she could identify in the Dragon’s voice. “Perhaps it is time I paid them a visit.” Billa gasped when the Dragon turned away from her to leave.

“No!” she screamed, scrambling from underneath the banner and chasing after the beast. “This isn’t their fault! You cannot go to Laketown!”

Smaug turned his head back to her. “You care about them, do you? Good. Then you can watch them die.” Before the Dragon could go too far Thorin yelled out to him.

“Here, you witless worm!” he called.

“You!” Smaug snarled, squinting his eyes in fury.

“I am taking back what you stole,” Thorin declared watching as Smaug slowly stalked towards him.

“You would take nothing from me, Dwarf. I laid low your warriors of old. I instilled terror in the hearts of men. I am King under the Mountain!” Smaug roared, his head level with Thorin. Billa watched on in horror from the adjoining hall.

“This is not your kingdom. These are dwarf lands, this is dwarf gold, and we will have our revenge!” Thorin exclaimed regally. “Nai'giri!” he bellowed. Billa watched the following events in a mix of awe and horror, as the stone mould that the molten gold had been poured into shattered. The Dragon enraptured by his greed for gold began to approach the statue that stood taller than him, only for the gold around the statue’s eyes to warp. The gold exploded into liquid form as it had not yet fully solidified, having not been left to cool. Smaug roared enraged as the statue began to melt, and scrabbled backwards to escape the tidal wave of molten metal. Though he did not move fast enough and was knocked over by the force only to then be entirely smothered and drowned in the gold. Billa stared as the floor of the entire hall was filled with a layer of pure gold, several feet deep. As the gold settled, and no sign of Smaug was seen Billa hesitated to wonder if they had succeeded but they had not. All of a sudden, the surface of the golden lake exploded as Smaug leaped out, completely covered by the molten metal and screeching in fury and pain.

“Ahhh! Revenge? Revenge! I will show you Revenge!” he roared taking off at a run down the hall. The Company ran after the Beast watching in growing horror as it burst out of the sealed gate of Erebor only to take to the sky, heading directly for the Long Lake. While the others had stopped just short of the gate Billa raced out, clambering over the debris of the gate frantically before she tripped eyes glued to the trajectory of the Dragon. Watching as Smaug flew away, she panted despairingly. Emerald eyes wet with tears.

“What have we done?”

“All that we could,” came the response. Billa whipped her head around, tears streaming down her dirty cheeks to look at Nori who had obviously followed her.

“But Kíli, the others?” she cried, her heart nearly shattering in her chest at the idea of the destruction she had unleashed on them and the innocent people of Laketown.

“They will have had a plan, Oín knew about the prophecy,” Nori answered stepping closer to where she lay against the rocks. “All we can do is pray now, that whatever they had in mind works.”

Billa sobbed, and for the first time in months truly cried. There had been many times where she had wanted to cry on the Quest but had held back as it had not been appropriate. But now, after what had seemed to be a near suicidal mission, she could no longer keep it in. As she broke down Nori launched himself forward and scooped her up into his arms, embracing her tightly as she burrowed her dirty face into his chest. Sobs wracking her petite frame, and tears streaming from her eyes. She cried for the paralysing fear she had felt upon standing face to face with a Dragon; she cried for the innocent lives that were threatened by that same Dragon; she cried from homesickness and from her physical pain. She did not know how long she cried, with Nori rocking them back and forth and murmuring reassurances to her in Khuzdul but eventually the tears ran out. She did not move from her burrowed position even as her breathing eased and she had stopped hiccoughing.

“Come now akrâgnana’ith, let me dress your feet,” Nori said softly after a time.

“I do not want to leave,” Billa said finally pulling back to return her eyes to the sky where to her despair she saw Esgaroth burning and the gleaming body of the Fire Drake soaring overhead. Then – much to both the hobbit and the Thief’s surprise – they watched as on yet another strafing of DragonFire, the Dragon threw its head back in a scream that echoed around the valley before crashing into the bell tower in the centre of the town. They watched on as the glow from the Drake’s chest died as it flew straight up only to plummet to the water, limp.

“It’s dead,” Billa whispered eyes glued to the Lake where there was no movement.

“W-what was that? What happened?” Ori’s voice came, and Billa turned her head to find the rest of the Company that had journeyed to the Mountain had finally reached her and Nori.

“We saw it fall,” Nori answered.

“Smaug is dead,” Billa said firmly her eyes flickering back to the still, black, Lake where the Dragon had plummeted.

“By my beard, I think she’s right!” Gloín exclaimed, his eyes elsewhere. “Look there! The Ravens of Erebor are returning to the Mountain.”

“Aye, word will spread,” Balin said. “Before long, every soul in Middle Earth will know the Dragon is dead!” While the Dwarrow rejoiced Billa watched silently as Thorin broke off to head towards the Mountain alone. The look in his eyes cold and gleaming.

Chapter Text

The return to the Mountain following the obvious demise of Smaug had brought with it some grave concerns for Billa. After the Company had filtered back into the safety of the Mountain, some had been sent to collect their belongings while Thorin had locked himself away in the Treasury. Balin had taken to instructing the Company in their leader’s absence. Gloín started a fire and Bombur began to prepare something to eat for them, all while the others set up their temporary accommodations. It had been decided that they should stay within what Billa had learned was called the Gold District. Nori had stayed with Billa following the set up of their temporary camp close by the Treasury but on the level below near what had once been the Barracks, the Thief having angrily been treating Billa’s blistered and burnt feet.

“Why didn’t you wear your damn boots,” he grumbled dressing the wounds with a salve Billa made from herbs in her medicine pouch and bandaging them. As gruff as he sounded, he was gentle with her injured feet.

“It was easier to minimise sound without them,” she answered.

“Yes, and Oín is going to murder us both when he catches sight of you,” he hissed, glaring at her. “Now you’d better stay warm and not do anything stupid until he gets here, you hear me?”

Billa sighed and nodded. “Yes, Nori. Could you get Ori to bring over my stuff? I’ll put my socks on and the jumper she made me.”

“No need Billa, I have them here,” the dam in question said, bringing over the hobbit’s pack and other belongings. “You’ll be putting on your wolf-lined coat as well akrâgnana’ith, and since we have some time, I’ll also be knitting you a scarf and gloves since I still have my needles and I picked up some yarn in Laketown.”

“Thank you akrâgnana’,” Billa responded, receiving the pack. In short order the hobbit was dressed in two layers of socks, thick woollen leggings, her jumper and coat and had been bundled closer to the fire by her akrâgbaraf.  Billa did not argue when Ori brought her a large portion of the evening’s stew. Nor did she argue when Bifur draped her cloak over her shoulders along with his own. She knew that now that they were all in abject safety that her friends were showing their concern for her. But she could see that in doing so, they were all trying to distract themselves from the unanswered question. Whether Kíli, Fíli, Oín and Bofur were alive. Dwalin had taken to guarding the Treasury while Thorin stayed in there in isolation, while Balin tried to reason with the King trying to get him to eat something. At the camp Gloín tended to the fire in silence, while Bifur would sit whittling at Bombur’s side. Nori, Ori and even Dori had taken to fussing over Billa.

After several days of self-isolation Thorin eventually stormed out of the Treasury and ordered them all to begin to search the gold mounds for the Arkenstone. The Dwarf that exited the cavernous room had not been the same one as had entered it. Thorin’s blue eyes glistened in fever-like mania, he was dressed in luxurious fur robes and atop his head sat the Raven crown. Having been unable to argue with the King of Durin’s Folk, the other Dwarrow had done as ordered and begun to search the Treasury; splitting into shifts so they could eat and sleep. As a result, Billa was left to her own devices. It took nearly a week for her feet to heal well enough that she could begin to wander Erebor on her own. Thorin had seemingly forgotten about her when ordering the others about, so she began to explore.

She wandered the halls aimlessly, though she kept to the Gold District not wanting to stray too far from her Companions. In her wandering Billa found many interesting places and had also determined that the term ‘level’ was to be used loosely when describing the layout of Erebor. As each level was a labyrinth of unbannistered walkways, buildings and staircases that interconnected at a multitude of points; making it possible to walk from the gate on the Diamond Level, to the Treasury on the Emerald Level completely bypassing the Ruby Level entirely if one desired. Billa explored larger Halls that had obviously been built to accommodate large numbers of Dwarrow to assorted storerooms and residences, and in many: the skeletal remains of the Dwarrow who never escaped. Her time alone allowed her space to think, and in some ways that troubled Billa.

Her mind wandered back to the conversation she’d had with Smaug when she’d been seeking the Arkenstone. The Dragon’s voice lingered in her ears, and still sent shivers down her spine. Indeed, there is an alliance between the Orcs of Moria and Gundabad and the Powers of Dol Guldur, but you are wrong about the nature of that alliance. Billa could still feel the heat of the DragonFire and smell the stench of his breath. It is no Necromancer that lies in Dol Guldur, but an Old Power. One of great darkness, he has been searching the lands to the east for something for centuries and seeks this Mountain as a Stronghold. The plummeting form of the Dragon as it fell to the Lake dead flashed across her mind’s eye. You have been used, thief in the shadows. You were only ever a means to an end. The coward Oakenshield has weighed the value of your life and found it worth nothing. Not that it would matter, there comes an army which will see this land surrendered to the Powers of Darkness.

“-lbo? -ilbo? Bilbo!” She snapped back at the call of her name, turning to look at Nori with startled eyes.

“Nori,” she said, hand on her pounding chest. The Thief had surprised her.

“I’ve been trying to get your attention for the past five minutes Bil, what’s on your mind?” Nori demanded; his expression hard, challenging her to lie.

Billa sighed. “I was remembering what Smaug said while I was alone in the Treasury.”

“What did the wyrm say?”

“He spoke of the alliance between the Orcs and Dol Guldur, his insinuations were terrifying,” Billa responded, wrapping her arms around her waist protectively as shadowy visages plagued her mind with nightmarish images. “He spoke of the return of an Old Power of Darkness; no mere mortal necromancer could command hordes of Orcs from both Moria and Gundabad.”

Nori’s eyes widened in horror, his expression one of fear. “There are few explanations for what it could be,” Nori murmured.

“Exactly,” Billa replied, her eyes conveying her own fear. “If the Watchful Peace is truly over then what Smaug suggested is even more frightening. He spoke of an army marching on the Mountain, one which would ‘see this land surrendered to the Powers of Darkness.’”

“We must tell Balin,” Nori said hurriedly. “You must tell him of the conversation you eavesdropped between the Wizards. This concerns us all, but I don’t think it would be a good idea to say anything to the King just yet.”

Billa nodded. “I agree. If an army of Orcs has been sent our way, we very well may have answered my question as to why Azog was not the one to meet us after our escape from Mirkwood,” she said frowning. “It might also explain where Gandalf has been.”

“We need to speak to him sooner rather than later, I’ll go and find him. He might know of a place we can disappear to for a quiet chat,” Nori said turning to leave.

“Oh Nori,” Billa said catching him before he left the room she had been exploring. “What were you looking for me for?”

“Was just checking in on you,” the Thief answered, before he disappeared. Billa frowned but said nothing, turning her eyes back to the rows of dusty shelves that lined the room. Anxiety, the emotion she had become most familiar with over the course of the journey, tightening in her chest.

“So, what you’re meaning to tell me lass, is that the Uznel is back and has regained command over the Orcs of Gundabad and Moria?’ Balin queried, his aged face pallid as the blood drained from it.

“And that there is likely an army of Orcs marching this way as we speak,” Nori added.

“Erebor is one of the strongest geographical strongholds here in the East. If the Uznel is back, there is no doubt why he would desire to rule the Mountain,” Billa reasoned, though her eyes betrayed her calm expression. “It also explains the alliance between the Orcs and Dol Guldur, the Spiders, the blade Radagast found that was not of the living realm, and where Gandalf has been. You heard Beorn’s warning about Mirkwood.”

“I did, and I confess it has been troubling me ever since,” Balin said. “There is no way we are going to be able to drag Thorin away from the Mountain now that it is reclaimed. Not until he has the Arkenstone.”

At the mention of the King’s Jewel Billa grew uncomfortable, and despite not saying anything Nori’s sharp eyes narrowed in on her. “What is it akrâgnana’ith,” he asked. Billa glanced around uncomfortably, checking to see that the three of them were truly alone in the room Balin had chosen. It was in the Copper District below the gates on the Topaz level not too far from the Dragon lit Great Forges, it had the look of a large office about it in her opinion; well much larger than her study back at Bag-End. “Bilbo?”

“I-I may have not been entirely honest with Thorin,” she said quietly, shifting her eyes back to observe both Dwarrow through her thick dark lashes carefully. She was essentially admitting to committing treason against their King after all.

“What do you mean not hones-” Nori broke off as it occurred to him what Billa was insinuating. “You have it?” he exclaimed.

She nodded.

“Why haven’t you given it to him yet?”

“Because of the Gold Sickness,” Balin answered instead, his voice trembling with sorrow. “Thorin’s been taken by it, the same as his Grandfather was. I only confirmed it with my own eyes the other day. That’s why you haven’t given it to him, isn’t it, lass?”

Billa nodded again. “Beorn warned me before we left his house of ‘gold fever’ encouraging me to run at the first signs of it. Then Smaug also spoke of it,” she said. “Smaug said that if I gave it to him, he would go mad; that the stone would corrupt his heart and destroy him making him suffer.”

“Wyrms are known as excellent liars,” Balin stated, “but I’m afraid this time Smaug spoke the truth. And it is a truth that is more hurtful than any lie. If you were to give the stone to him in his current state, he would go mad. We must wait for Tharkûn, he’ll know what to do. But until then we can only pray that Thorin breaks the enchantment himself, else I fear our lives will all be in more danger than ever before.”

As Billa fell asleep that night, she prayed over and over to the Lady Yavanna for the strength to face the coming days. For in her heart, despite the Quest’s goal being fulfilled with the reclaimation of Erebor for Durin’s Folk Billa knew it was far from over. In fact, perhaps it had only just begun, and the Battle for Erebor lay in the not too distant future.

Billa’s hope to continue avoiding Thorin was dashed fairly early the following day. Dwalin found her exploring what appeared to be the Great Temple of Mahal if the huge Basalt statue was to be believed. He didn’t need to say anything for the hobbit to understand she had been summoned.

“I don’t suppose you could report back you couldn’t find me?” she asked with a sigh, even as she rose to her feet and pulled her coat tighter around her shoulders. The Mountain was still drafty, and the chill of winter was promised in the breeze despite the Forges being lit.

“’m afraid no’ lass,” Dwalin responded gruffly, his Durin blue eyes reflecting his own reluctance. “Th’ King has summoned ye and has ordered me t’ escort ye t’ him as soon as possible.”

Billa nodded understandingly. “Then you best lead the way then,” she said with a half smile, gesturing for him to lead the way. She fell into step with him and smiled slightly when she noticed he had shortened his stride to account for her injured feet. They walked in silence for several long minutes before Billa finally gave in and asked, “what’s the matter? You keep sighing as if you have something you want to say.”

Dwalin startled into a coughing fit. It took a few moments for him to regain composure before he finally spoke. “Ah, yes I-I suppose I do want t’ say something.” Billa glanced at him when he fell silent yet again. But he continued a moment later without any further prompting. “I want t’ apologise lass, fo’ th’ way I’ve treat’d ye on this Quest,” he began his cheeks pink beneath his large black beard. “I won’t make any excuses for m’self. My Amad would’a had my hindquarter’s for th’ way I’ve treat’d a Lady had she no’ pass’d t’ Mahal’s Halls.”

Billa could not help her smile at the Dwarrow’s awkward apology. “I accept your apology Dwalin, had I been in your position I too would have questioned the abilities of a Hobbit to protect your King. You are the Captain of the King’s Guard, I cannot fault you for doing your job,” she said.

“Even so, lass. I should’a treat’d ye wit’ th’ respect ye deserve. Ye’ve sav’d our lives mor’ than once on this Quest,” he responded gruffly, although he seemed grateful that she’d accepted his apology. “And fo’ that I want’d t’ thank ye.”

Billa’s eyes widened, though a smile caught her lips. “Now that is something, I hadn’t expected to hear from you,” she said smirking, unable to stop the teasing lilt that entered her tone. She enjoyed the darkening flush and the uncomfortable shifting of Dwalin’s shoulders for a moment before she continued, “thank you and you are most welcome.”

“Ah,” Dwalin coughed, clearing his throat. “Well then, ah, I suppose we best make haste. The King-”

“I understand,” Billa cut him off, offering an amused smirk even as dread creeped up her spine. Dwalin seemed grateful for the moment of sentiment to be over and they walked the rest of the way in silence. Before they entered the Throne Room, she couldn’t help but ask, “the King – he is well?”

Dwalin glanced at her warily. “He has been eating at least,” he answered, his eyes conveying far more than his gruff words. Billa simply nodded in understanding, taking a steadying breath she eyed the archway.

“Will you be coming in?” she asked quietly, unable to keep her voice from quivering slightly in her unease.

Eyes of Durin blue stared at her empathetically. “Aye lass, I’ll be there at the King’s order.”

Billa nodded, swallowing heavily before taking another steadying breath. Dwalin gave her a pat on the shoulder that she assumed was supposed to be one of reassurance, but only served to heighten her anxiety. Still she sent him a half smile straightening her shoulders before she stepped forward. They walked in and Billa remained silent as Dwalin announced them for Thorin. Her first look at the Dwarrow King in several days haunted her, but that held nothing over the shadow of the Dwarrow that stood before her. The Thorin that stood crowned in gold, and clothed in luxurious furs was unfamiliar to her, no more than a stranger with a familiar face. His eyes still held that feverish gleam, and the smile that graced his face at the sight of her made her stomach roil.

“Ah Billana, I’ve been waiting for you. Come, come let us walk, I need to speak with you,” he said. His voice soft and almost like a purr. Billa affected a smile and walked forward to meet the open armed welcome of the King even though she felt sick. Stopping just before him and dropping into a deep curtsey. She studied him through her downcast lashes and felt nauseous at the sheer glee she could perceive radiating from him.

“I am not yet crowned dearest Billana, I will not have you lower yourself before a friend,” he said reaching for her and helping her up. He did not release her hands however, and instead thread one through his elbow. He sent a silent glance at Dwalin before he began to lead her down the direct path towards the Treasury.

“You wished to speak with me?” she asked, prompting him lightly.

“Indeed, I did. In the wake of helping us reclaim Erebor, I would ask what you would like as your share of the reward?” he queried, his voice maintaining the velvety quality.

“I am a Hobbit, your Majesty. Gold bears little sentiment to me,” she answered honestly, though perhaps not as truthfully as she wished too. The sight of the Horde as they came upon it truly sickened her.

Thorin hummed thoughtfully. “I had assumed as much; I will keep that in mind when considering the matter. Now there is another thing,” he said as they paused and turned his head to study her. “I would have you remain here, in Erebor even though with its reclaimation your contract is all but fulfilled – a matter that will be solve once I have the Arkenstone.”

Billa was struck speechless, her stomach threatened to heave at the insinuation. “In what capacity could a mere Hobbit seek to remain within the hallowed halls of Durin’s Folk?” she asked after several long moments.

The smile he gave her sent shivers down her spine. “In whatever capacity I could convince you,” he answered almost jokingly. “But primarily I wish to honour my words to you before we crossed the Misty Mountains. Would you, Billana Baggins, be my voice of reason?”

Billa could not help the wide-eyed stare she responded with. If she didn’t know any better, she would have said that Thorin had just proposed to her. One glance into his manic eyes, made her stomach flip and nausea almost consume her. The possessive glint in the King’s eyes terrified her. Realising that she hadn’t answered she stumbled across her tongue. “Your Majesty I am honoured you hold me such high esteem. I do not know if I am capable of giving you an appropriately thought through answer at the current moment. May I have some time to think it over? I am most honoured you would seek to keep me on in an advisory position.” The shadow that flickered through those fevered blue eyes scared her, but it was hidden quickly.

“I would honour you more than a simple advisor my dear Hobbit, but yes I see no issue with allowing some time to consider it. You will of course be homesick for the Shire; I can understand that. I would be more than happy to alert Dis and have her stop through your homeland with the Caravans to pack up what belongings you wish to be brought to you,” he answered.

“Thank you, your Majesty,” she responded automatically, her heart beating frantically in her chest. She needed to get away from him, and fast. “Was there anything more you needed of me your Majesty?” she asked.

Thorin studied her for a few more moments before he answered. “No, not for the moment. I hope you will come should I call for you again, I will need my closest allies at my side in time.”

“As you wish your Majesty,” she answered. “For now, may I retire? It seems I have yet to fully recover from my illness.”

A shadow of concern flickered through fevered eyes before it was gone. “You are dismissed. Rest, recuperate, you will need your energy in the coming days,” he said, resting his hands gently on her shoulders. Despite the gentle touch, Billa couldn’t help but feel like irons were being clamped around her. As soon as he released her, she curtsied to him and all but ran from the Treasury.

It was Dori who found her, unable to breathe and wide eyed.

Logically, Billa knew she was having what her Grandmother Adamanta would have called a panic attack. She recalled her grandmother telling her as a faunt about them, as Adamanta used to have them fairly often as a child. But it was her first time actually experiencing one herself. The overwhelming wave of sheer emotion had disabled her just short of the makeshift camp the Company had made up in the old Barracks, forcing her to collapse against the wall. Her throat felt like it had closed up and her lungs were burning from the lack of air.

All she could think about was the nauseating smile and glint that lit up eyes of Durin blue. Her stomach heaved and her body finally expelled her breakfast across the stone floor.

A voice pierced the white noise and Billa strained to listen to it. “-the in and out, that’s it. Keep breathing. Nice and slowly. That’s it naith-ê, that’s it. Breathe in and breathe out.” The gentle words eventually lulled her into breaking through the hyperventilation. Once she had regained a modicum of control, she turned her eyes to the sea green of the eldest Ri brother.

“That’s it Billa, keep your breathing steady. You’re okay, I’m here. You’ve just had a panic attack. Just keep focusing on your breathing for the moment,” Dori said, his voice soft and eyes concerned. He sat with her until her breathing evened out entirely, and the tears she hadn’t realised she’d been shedding finally eased.

“Now then, what brought this on naith-ê?” he asked after a time.

Billa simply shook her head. “I-I can’t talk about it right now; it might be best to ask Dwalin.”

“So, it has to do with Thorin, I thought as much,” Dori said a frown pulling at his lips. “I’ll leave it at that then, well I’m sure you will want to go get cleaned up before any of the others see you and start asking pesky questions,” he said after a moment. “I’ll keep Nori off the scent for as long as I can, the camp is clear for the time being.”

Billa smiled weakly at the silver haired Dwarrow gratefully. “Thank you, I might just go do that.” As she stood up, she eyed the mess she’d made with a grimace.

“Don’t you worry about that Billa, I’ll deal with that. You just go get cleaned up dear,” he ordered shooing her away. The hobbit didn’t need much convincing and gave up trying to fight Dori over it. Instead she made her way back to their camp and grabbed the things she needed before leaving to go to the recently cleaned Baths some of the Company had put in some effort to make reasonably habitable. Once clean and feeling a little more like herself again, she took her wet – but now clean – clothes back to the camp. After hanging her wet clothes up to dry on the makeshift clothesline she’d fashioned for herself, Billa decided to head for the front gates. A habit she had picked up in an attempt to feel the weak sunlight on her face and also to see if Oín, Bofur, Kíli and Fíli were by some miracle making their way across the Ereborean plains. As she made her way towards the gate the echoes of voices bounced off the stone walls from the walkways above her.

Hope flooded her, and she picked up speed until she was sprinting towards where the calls were originating from. “Wait! Wait!” she called back, and tears sprung to her eyes and proceeded down her cheeks when she spotted all four Dwarrow in one piece.

“Bilbo!” Kíli cried out, pointing towards her. Billa didn’t know what had come over her – well she had a fair idea, but she wasn’t about to admit to it – that had her sprinting full pelt at the raven-haired prince. His eyes which had lit up at the sight of her were filled with confusion followed immediately by realisation as he widened his stance to support himself as she threw herself bodily at him. Her tears became sobs, as overwhelming relief washed over her as she felt him catch her solidly and wrap his muscular arms around her. Fíli watched with wide and confused eyes before he had to catch himself from laughing. The blond prince caught Oín’s eye and found the Healer was eyeing the embracing couple with a curious but knowing look. Bofur simply pointed out the obvious with a well timed, “hey, it’s Bilbo! She’s alive.”

Billa seemed to realise her situation all too quickly thanks to Bofur breaking through her haze of emotion, and she was quick to release Kíli and step back a bit. Although Kíli seemed to have other ideas and caught her face with his palm and her left hand in his right. Dark, chocolate coloured eyes studied her closely as if trying to memorise her every feature before the prince finally let her go.

“I’m so glad you are alive!” she said, her eyes not leaving Kíli till the very last second, “that you all are!” she clarified glancing over the other three, pointedly ignoring Oín’s smirk.

“Where are the others?” Bofur asked, once again reminding Billa of where they were, and reality came crashing down on her.

“You need to leave!” she cried out, her panic from earlier bubbling in her chest. “We all need to leave.” Her eyes gravitated back to molten chocolate, hoping to express the severity of her fear and anxiety without words.

“We only just got here?”

“Balin’s tried to talk to him, but he won’t listen.”

“Who do you mean lassie?” Oín asked, but once her eyes met his she could tell he knew who she was talking about.

“Thorin! Thorin. Thorin, he’s been down there for days. He doesn’t sleep, he barely eats. He’s not been himself, not at all. It’s this…it’s this place. I swear a sickness lies upon it,” she responded wildly, a shiver running up her spine as she recalled the bizarre conversation she had had with the King.

“A sickness? What kind of sickness?”

“Mmm.” Before Billa could open her mouth to properly answer Kíli’s question, his golden-haired brother sprinted off. Whipping her heard around Billa caught sight of the refracting firelight from one of the many Treasury entrances, suddenly realising where the prince was headed. “Fíli. Fíli. Fíli!” she cried out, sprinting after him. She couldn’t quite catch him, but eventually he came to a stop on one of the many balconies that overlooked the vast sea of gold that was Thror’s Treasure Horde. She came to a stop next to him, Kíli not far behind and Oín and Bofur coming to stand on the other side of Kíli. Billa caught sight of Thorin wandering the Horde easily, the contrast of the shadowed robes against the firelit metal striking.

“Gold,” the King began his voice not his own, yet familiar all the same, “gold beyond measure...beyond sorrow and grief.” He was dressed richly in a lavish dark fur lined cloak, his hair elaborately braided beneath the heavy-set crown of gold and onyx. The fur of the cloak stretched across his broad hunched shoulders giving him an almost animalistic silhouette; he straightened turning arms outstretched to proclaim, “behold... the Great Treasure Horde... of Thror!”

In a flash, he threw what to Billa seemed to be a red projectile directly at them. Only for Fíli to deftly catch it out of the air.

“Welcome...my sister-sons...to the kingdom of Erebor!” he greeted, and Billa felt her blood freeze. She wasn’t sure if it was out of fear or unadulterated fury however and chose not to delve into it further. “Dearest Billana, our Companions have travelled far. Lead them to the Company’s camp, would you?” Billa hardly contained her shudder at the sickly purr he used to address her and simply nodded. “That’s a girl,” he praised.

Billa feeling the nausea resurface, curtsied stoically before turning on her heel and once again running from the Treasury. Thankfully, the others seemed to catch on and followed her, though she simply shook her head when Kíli opened his mouth to ask. Instead Oín patted his shoulder and murmured something under his breath that had the youngest prince shut his mouth and nod; though there was tension in his shoulders and concern in his eyes as he continued to observe her as she led the way. Billa was silent during the reunion of the Company, although she did crack a smile at the sight of all of them together once more – with the exception of an Idiot King, she mused.

Eventually the Company were all sat around one of the tables, Bifur and Dori had scavenged to make their makeshift camp more homely. Billa had sat beside Balin after accepting a cup of water from Dori and settled in to listen to Balin explain their journey to the Mountain; only chiming in when necessary. Once they had been updated on the chain of events they had missed, it was their turn. It was no surprise that it was Bofur who ended up telling the tale of how Elves, Men and Dwarrow banded together to make a plan that successfully evacuated eighty percent of the citizens of Esgaroth. Billa wasn’t sure how she felt about the news that the red-haired elf captain from Mirkwood had saved Kíli’s life and had also been integral to their plan. She was grateful, but she could not deny the green monster that reared its ugly jealous head at the thought.

“I’m not much of a Blacksmith but the makeshift Windlances worked out well,” Fíli commented, “between myself and Georg the Laketown Blacksmith we had them ready in time. Having three archers was certainly a benefit.”

“I certainly couldn’ hav’ done it wit’ th’ accuracy ye lot need’d,” Bofur chortled, before continuing with the story. Billa had to commend the repurposing of fishing harpoons as windlance arrows. In the end, Laketown still was destroyed, and Billa wasn’t all that wrenched to hear the Master had not survived the Dragon onslaught. But her friends had survived, and they had done what they could to help minimise lives lost. It was enough.

Oín had been furious with her, when he finally collared her long enough to give her an examination. The old Healer had dragged her off to what appeared to be a healing clinic before spending the better part of an hour chastising her for the damage she had done to her feet during the Dragon incident.

“That cough is sounding better at least,” he grumbled as he examined the healing burns on her feet. “As long as you keep warm and keep drinking the tea, I’d wager you’ll be fully recovered by this time next week. Your feet on the other hand are another matter. Despite the leathery skin on the soles of your feet, you’ve done yourself some severe damage. I’m honestly flabbergasted that you’re even capable of walking on them.”

“The healing balm I used accelerates the rate of scabbing,” Billa offered with a slight wince as Oín glared at her from his crouched position beside the bench he had her sit on with her feet up.

“I’ll admit that whatever you used has done you some good, but I want to see you resting your feet as much as you can even if you can walk. I don’t want to hear from Nori that you’ve been wandering the Halls again, on barely healed feet,” the Healer reprimanded gruffly returning to his own seat opposite her. “Now Balin has explained the current situation with Thorin, and what you have on you. We will have to take council together on this one I’m afraid. The Gold Sickness has no known cure.”

“Gold Sickness?” Billa and Oín both startled violently at the new voice, whipping their heads around to spot Kíli walking up to them. They shared a glance before Oín answered the question.

“Yes. It appears your uncle has succumbed to the same illness of the mind as what claimed his Grandfather,” the Healer said. Kíli’s expression didn’t change, though his eyes reflected his understanding.

“This is what you were talking about when you met us, isn’t it Billa?” the dark-haired prince asked.

Billa nodded. “Balin, Nori and I are the only ones who know for sure, Dwalin might I’m not sure but nothing any of us say is getting through to him.” Kíli hummed in acknowledgement, grabbing a chair and taking a seat next to Oín.

“You also said we need to leave. Why?” he asked, his dark eyes boring into her. Billa hesitated, glancing at Oín; she wasn’t sure how much Balin had explained to the Healer. But with Oín’s nod she turned back to Kíli.

“If we are reading the signs correctly, there is an army of Orcs marching on the Mountain,” she said quietly, green eyes observing the prince. “The Orc pack that’s been hunting us; the alliance between Moria and Dol Guldur Beorn spoke of; it all adds up. Although it was what Smaug told me that helped me connect the dots.”

Kíli’s eyes widened. “Have you told Thorin?”

“There has been no point,” Billa answered reluctantly, “he is too consumed by the Gold Sickness to think rationally. Thorin is lost in his desire for the Arkenstone.”

“And if we were to find it?” Kíli asked, a desperation in his eyes that spoke volumes. Billa could not fault him for wanting to find a way to help his Uncle.

“We would lose him entirely,” Oín responded gruffly. “While he is still seeking it, he may still be capable of breaking the mania.”

Kíli fell silent, an expression of loss and pain crossing his features. Billa shared a concerned glance with Oín before turning her eyes back to the Dwarrow archer only to startle slightly at the analysing gaze she was met with.

“You’ve already found it,” he finally said perceptively. Billa froze, unable to hide her guilty conscience. But before she could speak Kíli continued his observations. “Seeing as Thorin is still seeking it, Balin has approved that it’s discovery remain quiet.”

Billa simply nodded after once again glancing at Oín.

“Which means that we are waiting for something,” Kíli determined.

“We are hoping that Gandalf might be able to help us,” Billa answered. “Or that Thorin breaks himself free from the mania himself. But I am afraid we won’t have enough time.”

Kíli frowned thoughtfully. “The survivors from Laketown were heading to Dale to see out the Winter. I have no doubt that Bard will seek the gold Thorin promised in order to rebuild their lives.”

“Word of the Dragon’s demise will surely have spread quickly,” Oín added. “We may have more than just the Men of Laketown to reason with. I wouldn’t be surprised if we have an army of Elves on our doorstep. Thrainduil holds a grudge against the Line of Durin.”

Billa slumped in her chair exhaling harshly. “Why must everyone have a grudge against the Line of Durin!” she hissed out irately, eyes narrowed. “When this is all over, and Thorin is back in his right senses. I swear to the Green Lady I am going to teach him diplomacy even if I have to beat it in to him!”

Oín coughed, hiding a smile into his beard. “Careful lass, that could be treasoness talk there.”

“At this point, I don’t care,” she shot back huffily. “I am sick of having to clean up all his messes!” Kíli broke out into surprised laughter at her words, catching her attention and reminding her that she was in the presence of direct royalty. Wincing she looked at the laughing Dwarrow. “Please, never tell him I said that. I like my head where it is, still attached to my body.”

Kíli continued to guffaw for several minutes before he managed to answer. “Don’t hold me to it. When this is all over, I might just do so.” Billa sighed at the teasing, though she was grateful the atmosphere had lightened slightly. Eventually Kíli’s laughter settled. “I would like to help with making a plan,” he said looking between the Healer and hobbit. “Thorin is my kin, I feel a level of responsibility for this.”

Oín studied the young Dwarrow prince silently for several long drawn out seconds before speaking. “I will inform Balin. But I must remind you lad, this is of the utmost secrecy. By all accounts we are committing treason against our King, even if it is in order to save him.”

“I understand,” Kíli responded. “Who else knows?”

“Balin, Billa, Nori and I,” Oín answered. “The less the others know the better.”

In the days that followed, Thorin had taken to calling Billa to his side while the search for the Arkenstone continued. After yet another disastrous council with Thorin and the Sons of Fundin, Billa secluded herself away for a moment’s peace. Caught up in her thoughts she missed the approach of Thorin until he was almost upon her.

“What is that?” he demanded as he strode up to her, startling her from her thoughts. “In your hand!”

Billa blinked, casting her green eyes down to the acorn she had been fiddling with mindlessly. “Oh, it’s – it’s nothing.”

“Show me!” Thorin ordered harshly.

“It -” breaking off, Billa looked between the fuming Dwarrow and the acorn before she simply held out her hand. The small brown nut resting in the cradle of her palm. “I picked it up in Beorn’s garden,” she explained.

Immediately, Thorin’s expression softened into something that almost resembled his former self. “You’ve carried it all this way?”

“I was hoping to plant it in my garden,” she answered, glancing down at the small acorn fondly. “In Bag End.”

“It’s a poor prize to take back to the Shire,” Thorin commented, and for a moment his eyes seemed to lose the fevered gleam.

“One day it’ll grow, and every time I look at it, I’ll remember. Remember everything that happened: the good, the bad and how lucky I am that I made it home,” she said smiling genuinely at the Dwarf King for the first time in what felt like weeks. To her surprise he returned the gentle smile, only for the moment to be shattered by Dwalin approaching at a run.

“Thorin, the survivors from Laketown, they’re streaming into Dale. There’s hundreds of them,” he called out and in an instant Thorin’s expression hardened and the manic gleam returned to his eyes.

“Call everyone to the gate!” he ordered. Snapping, “to the gate! Now!” as he stormed off.

Billa’s shoulders slumped. Kíli had been right about the Lake Men seeking refuge in the ruins of Dale. Silently she followed after Thorin and Dwalin, headed for the gate herself.

“Does he want to kill us all!” Billa whisper screeched as she paced back and forth across the office on the Topaz level Balin had turned into their small council chamber.

“He is not in his right mind,” Balin said sorrowfully, sitting slumped in one of the chairs they had scavenged.

“Gold Sickness or not, we must do something!” she retorted harshly. “We have an indeterminable number of Orcs marching our way as we speak by all accounts. We cannot fight on two fronts at once. We number but fourteen!”

“Thorin will likely send a Raven to Dáin,” Balin said.

“But it is a fourteen-day march from the Iron Hills,” Oín exclaimed from where he was sat at the sole table in the room. “I doubt Thrainduil would be kind enough to wait until we have a more even footing before going to war.”

“No, I doubt he would,” the Advisor agreed.

“We are at a disadvantage no matter how you look at it,” Nori said. The Thief was fidgety and had taken to leaning against the wall near the open doorway to keep watch.

“What can we do?” Kíli asked, dark eyes scanning each of the room’s occupants.

Billa finally stopped her pacing, turning to face the others. “We must strike a deal,” she said firmly. “One that is too good for them to pass up, and that might buy us some time.”

“Like what? As Nori pointed out we are at a pretty distinct disadvantage,” Kíli queried, his body language echoing his unspoken concern.

Billa hummed thoughtfully for a few moments before an idea came to her.

“No,” Nori ordered harshly. “Whatever it is you’re thinking, forget it. I know that expression, that’s your ‘this-is-likely-going-to-get-me-killed-if-this-doesn’t-work’ look.”

“I’m sorry Nori, but this might be our only chance,” Billa responded shaking her head.

“What have you come up with lass?” Balin prompted.

Billa, reached into her jumper to the hidden pocket she had sewn into her shirt to hold the Arkenstone and pulled out the gleaming white jewel. “What is the one thing Thorin desires above all else?”

“Are you mad?” Oín exclaimed. “You want to bargain with the Arkenstone? Are you trying to get yourself killed?”

“Mad?” Billa queried, “quite possibly. But regardless I don’t see what choice we have. This jewel is the only thing that holds any sway over Thorin and might make him reconsider going to war with Thrainduil and the Lake Men.”

“And what use is it if you martyr yourself and get yourself killed in return hmm?” Kíli cried out, it hadn’t taken him long to perceive what she was thinking of doing.

Billa met Kíli’s outraged eyes for several seconds before answering. “I am the only one capable of sneaking out of this mountain except for maybe Nori and getting to and from Dale in time. I am also not a Dwarrow. So, I am hardly committing treason, if I am not a Dwarrow subject.”

“You think Thorin won’t try and kill you in his current state?” Kíli demanded.

“I’m not saying its not possible, but banishment or exile is more likely,” Billa responded avoiding his outraged eyes by looking to Balin.

“She is right, as insane as it sounds,” the Advisor finally said, silencing the two younger Dwarrow in the midst of their disapproval. “Billa might be the only one capable of negotiating this bargain. Time is running out; we do not have the luxury to debate back and forth about what we can and can’t do if we wish to survive the coming days. I fear we have no other choice.”

An uneasy silence fell upon the room, and Billa repocketed the Arkenstone.

“She’s not going alone,” Nori finally snapped out, he cut her off before she could speak. “No but’s akrâgnana’ith, I’ll be going with you. If we are treating with Bard, he will recognise me since I was with you when we sprung him from the gaol. I will not allow you to doom yourself alone.”

“Nori, what about your family?” Billa demanded.

“I doubt Dori and Ori would be surprised by my choice. If anything, they are used to my somewhat questionable actions, I will not have you face this alone. Ori would probably kill me herself if she knew I could have done something about it,” he responded with a shrug. “No arguments Bil. I’m going with you.”

If there was one thing Billa was sure of, it was Nori’s stubbornness. Once he had made up his mind, he would see the matter through no matter the consequences. Loyal and Stubborn to a fault, she mused. She sighed deeply; she knew she had lost this battle. “Fine. No more arguments.”

“When will you do it?” Kíli finally asked, his expression resigned but no less approving. Billa shared a wordless conversation with Nori, before turning to the others.

“Tonight,” they said firmly.

Billa fidgeted under the barely-there weight of the mithril shirt Thorin had gifted her as a ‘token of friendship’, the burden of his words ten thousand times the weight of the gift itself. The echo of his parting words to her, hollowly bouncing around her head.

‘With my life I will not part with a single coin. Not one piece of it.’

“-il? Bil!” Nori’s voice once again tore her from her thoughts. She met his marsh green eyes. “Are you ready?”

“Yes, who is on last watch tonight?”

“Balin. We need to do this quickly,” he answered as he tossed the rope, he’d just secured to one of the columns over the edge of the wall. Billa nodded and with a practiced agility climbed the ramparts and abseiled the wall, Nori not far behind her. It took them the better part of an hour and a half to cross the plains to Dale, even at their quickened pace as they kept to the shadows as much as possible. They didn’t want to alert the elven watchmen to their movements. It took them an additional hour to sneak through Dale to find where Bard and Thrainduil might be until they finally happened across the ElvenKing’s tent.

“It will not come to that. This is a fight they cannot win,” they heard Bard say.

Billa stepped out from the shadows that she and Nori had been using for cover. “That won’t stop them. You think the Dwarves will surrender? They won’t. They will fight to the death to defend their own,” she said.

“Bilbo Baggins!” a familiar voice called out, and Billa was filled with relief to meet the eyes of Gandalf. Nori and Billa were brought before Thrainduil in his tent, at the ElvenKing’s command.

Before the Elven guards could touch them, she spoke to them coldly in their own tongue. “We came of our free will, there is no need to treat us as prisoners. You have a detestable way of treating guests.” Somewhat shocked the guards paused long enough for Billa to lead Nori by the arm, striding in of her own accord.

“If I’m not mistaken, this is the Halfling who stole the keys to my dungeons from under the nose of my guards,” the ElvenKing drawled, studying her.

“I would not have had to, had you not deemed it appropriate to incarcerate injured and starving travellers,” she retorted somewhat sharply. Her usually moderate temper was on a very short fuse considering the current circumstance she found herself in. “But that is not what I am here to discuss. I am here to bargain with Bard.”

“Oh? And what is it you are here to bargain? I doubt Oakenshield sent you,” Thrainduil responded.

“No. He doesn’t know we are here. I am here to offer a deal,” she said fishing the Arkenstone from her pocket. Nori, who had been standing beside her nodded once, before she unwrapped it.

Silence fell on the tent.

“The Heart of the Mountain. The King’s jewel,” Thrainduil breathed.

“And worth a king’s ransom,” Bard added, turning to look at Billa. “How is this yours to give?”

Billa swallowed hard. “It’s not. But I have taken it in place of my fourteenth share, of the treasure.”

“Why would you do this? You owe us no loyalty,” the bowman questioned, watching her with curious eyes.

“I’m not doing it for you. I know that Dwarves can be obstinate and pigheaded and difficult. And suspicious and secretive with the worst manners you can possibly imagine, but they are also brave and kind and loyal to a fault,” she answered, looking to Nori who had startled at her words to offer a half smile. “I’ve grown very fond of them, and I would save them if I can. But Thorin values this stone above all else. In exchange for its return, I believe he will give you what you were owed. There will be no need for war.”

“An honourable reason I’m sure, but I think there must be more,” Thrainduil said shrewdly.

After another shared look with Nori, Billa spoke. “You will think me mad, but if I have read the signs right there is a greater threat marching on us. One that none of us can face alone. Smaug spoke of the alliance between Moria and Dol Guldur, and we have experienced first-hand the Spiders and being hunted across Arda by a pack of Orcs with more than a simple personal vendetta.”

“You know of the Orcs?” Bard asked startled looking between Billa and Gandalf. Billa looked at the Man confused before meeting Gandalf eyes and reading the grave expression upon his withered face.

“Then it is true,” she breathed, her knees weakening. Nori steadied her with a bracing arm around her shoulders as the weight of reality set in. “How many Gandalf? How many has the Pŵer Tywyllaf sent upon us?”

“I cannot say for certain but upwards of twenty thousand strong,” the Wizard answered.

Billa nearly collapsed, her eyes wild as she turned to the stony faced Thrainduil. “And how many did you bring to face thirteen Dwarves?”

“Ten thousand,” he answered nonchalantly.

“There are two thousand able-bodied Men among the Men of Laketown,” Bard offered.

Billa acknowledged the man’s words but didn’t take her eyes from the ElvenKing. “You don’t believe this threat affects you, do you Thrainduil Oropherion,” she said, sudden fury blazing in her blood. “Are you so removed from this world that you would idly sit by and watch it’s destruction until you were the last one left?” Do you think the Enemy will ignore you if you remain idle?” A glare entered the blond elf’s eyes and his eyebrows furrowed. “You are a coward Thrainduil, you care for nothing but yourself and your own misery. I see my efforts to convince you are wasted,” she sneered, before turning to Bard. “I can not guarantee that the bargain will work, but I have placed my own life in your hands with that Valar forsaken Jewel. I pray you will at least try to come to terms, else we will all be doomed.” Infuriated by the ElvenKing’s lack of regard, Billa turned on her heel and stormed out of the tent with Nori right behind her and Gandalf not long after. Too enraged to take council with the Wizard, Billa relied on Nori to fill him in on the circumstances that faced the Company.

“We need to get back before dawn,” she murmured to Nori after he had finished.

“I don’t like to think what Thorin would do when he finds out what you’ve done,” Gandalf said concerned.

Billa sent him a half smile. “I can handle myself Grey One. He may well try to kill me, but he will not succeed.”

“Not if I have anything to say about it,” Nori muttered gruffly.

“You and the rest of the Company no doubt,” Billa agreed fondly. “Be ready for anything on the morrow my friend. I fear the gold’s grip on his mind may be too strong.”

“Don’t underestimate the evil of gold. Gold over which a serpent has long brooded. Dragon-sickness seeps into the hearts of all who came to this Mountain,” the Wizard cautioned.

Billa nodded. “Yavanna bless you Gandalf, may we live through the coming days to meet once again.”

“Same blessing upon you my dear Bilbo,” the Istar returned before she and Nori once again disappeared into the shadows.

Chapter Text

Billa hated how correct her predictions had turned out; staring, green eyes wide as she struggled to breathe around the hands on her neck while Thorin manhandled her towards the ramparts. She supposed she should have expected it after calling him out. Fíli, Kíli, Bofur and Nori were all fighting at Thorin’s grip on her, allowing her to catch a few deep breaths until a familiar voice echoed from below.

“If you don’t like my burglar, then please don’t damage her. Return her to me!” Gandalf bellowed. “You are not making a very splendid figure as King Under the Mountain, are you? Thorin son of Thrain.” It seemed the sight of Gandalf had startled the Dwarf King as suddenly the grip loosened.

“Never again shall I have dealings with wizards or shire rats!” Thorin snarled, letting go of the hobbit’s neck a moment later. Bofur and Nori bundled Billa away from Thorin, and the Thief went about casting the rope they’d used the night before over the ramparts.  Billa didn’t even blink when Nori followed her over the ramparts, she did meet Ori’s pained eyes however and did her best to reassure the dam. But she doubted she had been all that convincing, even she could tell this was turning to total anarchy, very quickly.

“Are we resolved, the Arkenstone for what was promised?” Bard called, Thorin remained silent. “Give us your answer!” the Bowman called again. “Will you have peace or war?”

With the arrival of an army from the Iron Hills, Billa wasn’t surprised when Thorin proclaimed, “War.” But she found studying the large army made up of several Dwarf Lord Banners confusing. How had an army of that size reached Erebor in time? It was a two-week march at minimum, and this army had to be at least five thousand strong. Which would mean they had to have been on the road for a month at best even if they did leave their supply caravans behind them.

“Good Morning, how are we all? I have a wee proposition if you wouldn’t mind giving me a few moments of your time,” Dáin began pleasantly, “would you perhaps consider JUST SODDING OFF, all of ye; right now!” Billa winced, the Lord of the Iron Hills had one hell of a pair of lungs on him.

“Come now Lord Dáin,” Gandalf addressed the newcomer trying to placate the Dwarf Lord. As Billa and Nori remained with Bard and the Men of Laketown where the Wizard had led them.

“Gandalf the Grey tell this rabble to leave or I’ll water the ground with their blood,” Dáin bellowed.

“There is no need for war between Dwarves, Men and Elves! A legion of Orcs march on the Mountain! Stand your army down!”

“I will not stand down before any elf, not least this faithless woodland sprite. He wishes nothing but ill upon my people. If he chooses to stand between me and my kin, I’ll split his pretty head open. See if he’s still smirking then.” Billa groaned while her companions cheered from the ramparts. She couldn’t exactly blame them, Thrainduil was a sorry excuse of a King.

“He’s clearly mad like his cousin,” Thranduil retorted.

“Ye hear that lads? We’re on. Let’s give these bastards a good hammering.” The elves and dwarves began to ready themselves for combat.

“You’re all fucking mad,” she shrieked, silencing the readying armies as they all turned towards her – most of them stunned by just how much sound such a small creature had created. “An Army of Orcs is marching on us as you dally about here comparing the lengths of each other’s members,” she shouted, unintentially reinforcing her voice with her innate power so it could be heard across the plains. “Are you all such egotistical cowards that you would go to war and hand Arda over to an Ancient Enemy? The Watchful Peace is over you Imbeciles!”

As if to punctuate her words. The earth tremored dangerously and the sound of the accursed tongue of Mordor echoed across the Ereborean basin. The earth continued to rumble, and dust clouds began to form to the south-east before a deafening roar resounded and several tunnels exploded from the eastern root of the Mountain: revealing hordes of Orcs flooding from the darkness.

“Oh. Come on!” Dáin groaned, before the order went out for the Dwarves to rally. “The Hordes of Hell are upon us! To battle! To battle, sons of Durin!” Billa felt a somewhat bitter sense of relief that she had managed to stall a battle among the Elves and Dwarrow. That was just one mess avoided; now to survive the next one she supposed as she unsheathed her blades. Stunning the Men that stood near her.

It did not surprise her when Thrainduil recalled his troops to the gate of Erebor, and she sneered at the sight as she followed the Lake Men towards Dale. Just as the Orcs were about to clash with the Dwarrow, she was pleasantly surprised to watch the Elven swordsmen join the fray. It didn’t change her feelings about the ElvenKing much, but it made her a little more hopeful that they would come through this alive. Another blast of the Orcish horn sounded drawing her attention to the Trolls and Ogres the Orcs had turned into War Beasts.

“Gandalf!” she cried out, “We must fall back to Dale. Azog must be trying to surround us!” Heeding her cry, the Wizard and Bard rallied the Men of Laketown and a full retreat was ordered.

“What about us?” Nori asked as he ran alongside her, quarterstaff in hand.

“Stay with Gandalf for now,” she answered. “And stay alive!”

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Upon reaching the city of Dale there was no time for strategy as the Orcs swarmed like ants. Billa and Nori got lost in the repetitive motions of battle, using their attunement to each other to their advantage against the much taller opponents. Falling into a rhythm, they fought their way through Orc after Orc.

Absorbed in the battle, Billa met each swing of an Orcish blade with a feral smile. Parrying the blows with Sting, before thrusting her longsword forward and in a spray of black blood straight through her opponent’s visor before another Orc took its place and the dance began again. Carving her way through the Orc Swarm with Nori at her side, Billa had the passing thought to thank Thorin for the mithril shirt at some point. After she had deafened him from the scolding, she was going to give him.

In her slight distraction, she was startled by Nori’s quarterstaff cutting the air in front of her face to parry an Orc axe.

“Now’s not the time for daydreams Bil,” he shouted over the din exasperatedly.

Billa swung her long sword at the distracted Orc catching it in the neck while she lunged forward with Sting and lodged the Elven blade into the fell creature’s chest. “Even if it is of the scolding I am going to inflict on Thorin?”

Nori laughed slightly hysterically, as he whipped his quarterstaff around catching an Orc in the side of the head before he embedded a throwing knife in the back of his neck. “That, I’d pay good gold to watch,” he responded.

“I’ll even make you popped corn with butter,” Billa snarked with a laugh, as she gutted yet another Orc. Billa didn’t know how much time had passed when she heard a familiar elvish horn resound and the clattering of hooves echo among the screams of battle. Turning to look in the direction it had come from, an overwhelming joy fillied her at the sight of banners signalling the arrival of a contingent of Elves from Imladris. The Elvish cavalry decimated the Orcs in their path as they flooded the city streets, followed by Dunedain.

“Who are they? Friend or Foe?” a nearby Man cried out fearfully.

“Friends!” Billa shouted back as she spotted the twin images of Elladan and Elrohir leading a charge towards her position. She ducked under the arm of an Orc who swung at her before she embedded Sting deep into its chest. She kicked the dead Orc from her blade before signalling Nori. With the Thief at her side the two fought their way towards the reinforcements no one had been expecting.

“Elladan! Elrohir!” she cried out delightedly even as she used her blades to sever the neck of the Orc she was fighting.

“Ivanniel!”  the twins shouted in response, before ordering their troops to secure the small square as Nori and Billa stumbled through the ranks.

“What are you doing here?” she called as they dismounted.

“Father sent us at Grandmother’s request,” Elrohir responded as they approached her. “We left Imladris near three moons ago.”

“How many did you bring?” she asked, catching her breath as they knelt before her. She stepped forward into their embrace, accepting the gentle petting of her hair as they did so.

“We lead a contingent of about two thousand, Glorfindel leads another two alongside several Marchwarden’s Grandmother sent with an additional thousand from Lothlorien,” Elladan answered.

“Several of the Dunedáin agreed to join ranks with us as well, so that’s another five hundred swords,” Elrohir added.

Nori whistled. “That turns the tides slightly in our favour,” he muttered, sharing a relieved look with Billa.

“How did you know where to find me?” she asked, turning her green eyes back on the twins.

“We didn’t, we had hoped you would be safe within the Mountain with your other companions,” Elladan said, frowning at her as he and Elrohir finally released her. “Which begs the question, why are you here?”

Billa winced. “It’s a long story, lets just keep it simple and say Nori and I joined with Gandalf.”

“When this is over Ivanniel you will have to answer our questions,” they said in unison.

“Yes. When this is over. Now we should regroup with Gandalf and Bard – he is the one commanding the Men of Laketown – we need to try and strategically deal with the onslaught,” she said, avoiding their eyes slightly.  “Last I heard they were heading for the Old Markets.”

“Ride with us,” Elrohir stated, as he and Elladan straightened. “It will be faster than leading on foot.” Nori and Billa shared a look, and both agreed silently that the twins had a point so took them up on the offer. In mere seconds they were off, the Elvish cavalry slaughtering ever Orc in their path. After time spent fighting their way through to the bulk of the Manish troops, they eventually met up with Bard and Gandalf. After a short regroup it was decided that with the reinforcements, they would sure up the parts of the city they had reclaimed. Glancing over towards Erebor, Billa saw the Dwarves begin to rally.

“The Dwarves are rallying!” she called out.

“Yes, they are rallying to their King,” Gandalf called back, a proud smile pulling at his lips.

The battle continued to rage around them, and eventually a new wave of Orcs swarmed them redirecting their attention back to the matter at hand. Billa was growing tired, for every Orc she killed two more appeared in its place. With both blades slicked black with Orc blood, she waged on meeting each opponent with a feral snarl. Her hair had fallen out of the makeshift bun she had pinned it in, leaving her messy braids to fall free. She was covered from head to toe in different shades of blood, from the black blood of their enemy to the oxidised red of their fallen allies. The grime of battle spattered her fair skin, leaving smear marks from where she had wiped the dripping sweat from her brow. Her breathing was growing laboured with every foe she faced, but still she did not stop. She didn’t know how much time had passed until she could check the Ereborean battlefield again, only for her to notice four figures on Dwarvish Mountain Goats heading for Ravenshill.

“What are those Idiots thinking?” she exclaimed piercingly, catching the attention of her friends. At some point Thrainduil and his troops had made it to Dale and had joined in the defense of the city, so they had mostly left the lower levels to the Silvan Elves.

“He’s taking his best warriors,” Gandalf responded approaching where she stood on the ramparts. “To cut the head off the snake.”

“Gandalf!” the call came. Billa turned her head to see the Mirkwood Prince and his red-haired Captain of the Guard ride into the square below them.

“Legolas,” Gandalf called back with a delighted laugh. “Legolas Greenleaf.” Before he could say anything more Legolas interrupted hastily.

“There is a second army. Bolg leads a force of Gundabad Orcs,” he called out dismounting, “they are almost upon us!”

“Gundabad? Ahh. This was their plan all along. Azog engages our forces, then Bolg sweeps in from the north,” Gandalf grunted thoughtfully.

“What? The north?” Billa stuttered, her stomach doing a flip as her instincts were set on high alert. “Where is the north exactly?” she asked her voice rising in her fear.

“Ravenhill.”

“Ravenhill? Thorin is up there. And Fili and Kili! They’re all up there!” Billa exclaimed hysterically, turning her eyes to watch the mountain goats. “They must be warned!”

“Then we will go,” Elladan assured her, coming to her side and resting a hand on her shoulder. “We will take half our troops and leave Thrainduil to bolster Dale, we will not let your friends fall.” Billa sent the Elf a grateful half-smile.

“I will go with you,” Legolas said, mounting his white stallion yet again. “Tauriel?” the red head nodded her face showing distress.

“Then we must leave now, and with haste,” Billa said turning to Nori who had already returned to Elrohir’s side to be helped onto the grey stallion the ellon rode. Within a short time Elladan and Elrohir had rallied the troops they would be taking, and they were off again to the sound of hundreds of hooves clattering on cobbled stone accompanying them.They made good time from Dale to the crest that Ravenhill sat atop and arrived in time to find Thorin and Dwalin discussing the eerie silence.

“Thorin! You have to leave here. Now! Azog has another army, attacking from the north. This watchtower will be completely surrounded, there’ll be no way out” she cried out, leaping from the back of Elladan’s steed, completing ignoring the height as she did so.

“We are so close. That Orc scum is in there. I say we push on,” Dwalin said gruffly tightening his grip on his Warhammer.

Thorin looked up at the silent tower. “No! That’s what he wants. He wants to draw us in. This is a trap,” he responded firmly. “Find Fili and Kili, call them back.”

Dwalin looked at his King. “Thorin, are you sure about this?”

“Do it. We live to fight another day,” Thorin responded.

“Where are the lads?” Nori asked.

“Scouting the tower-” Dwalin broke off when the sound of Black speech came from the top of the tower across the frozen river. Azog stood holding Fíli over the edge by the scruff of his neck and seemed to be focused on calling out to Thorin.

“Elladan!” Billa cried, her unspoken order understood as the Elven Lord withdrew his bow and his aim true, hit the arm of the Pale Orc that was holding the Crown Prince and forcing him to drop the Dwarrow. Fíli fell but by some miracle was able to slow his fall in his flailing for him to grab at an outcrop of stone from the ruins. The blond slid off the outcrop and plummeted the remaining feet to the ground where Billa spotted Kíli. In a reckless act, Billa sprinted across the river heading for the brothers and stubbornly ignoring the nearing roars of the second army from Gundabad she could hear growing closer. A screaming Nori not far behind her. She was met by the struggling breath of Fíli as Kíli cradled his brother. Adrenaline fuelled her as she raced to the princes’ sides and began to inspect the blond. “Dislocated shoulder, several broken ribs but no lung punctures, broken leg,” she listed off as she began to address the more critical wounds like the compound fracture that saw Fíli’s shin bone poking through his skin. “Nori I need you to help me,” she ordered, “Kíli, hold him down I need to set his leg.” Working quickly Billa had Nori hold Fíli’s other leg down while she straightened the broken limb before tightly binding the wound.

“Elladan, Elrohir! I need your aid!” she screamed and the twins along with several of their soldiers were quick to her side. “The Crown Prince needs to be taken to the Mountain now!” she snapped, “I will not have a prince of Durin’s Folk die while I still draw breath!” Elrohir seemed taken aback but was quick to order two of their soldiers forward.

“What are they doing?” Kíli hissed.

“They will take him to Erebor. A second army is coming he cannot remain here like this!” she answered sharply, daring the dark-haired archer to question her. Kíli struggled to let his brother go, but after reassuring Fíli in muttered Khuzdul he relinquished him to the two elven guards. “Go! Now!” she shouted as she stood from the snow and unsheathed her blades turning to face the incoming swarm of Gundabad Orcs.

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She wasn’t sure how it happened that she ended up fighting against the spawn of Azog to defend Kíli’s unconcious form. But she clashed blades with Bolg several times, sustaining several deep cuts to her arms and a few shallow ones to her face. With the help of Tauriel, together they pushed the Orc off the cliff face, only for Bolg to catch the elleth by her hair and drag her over the edge with him. Billa found herself stuck defending the injured prince against several Orcs that happened upon them until Elladan and two of his guards found them. Extracting a promise from Elladan that he would ensure Kíli was safely delieved to the Mountain, she narrowed her eyes on the Elven soldiers.

“He best be in one piece when I next lay eyes on him you hear,” she threatened the guards. “Else I will gut you in your sleep.” She was interrupted from saying anything more by the roar of Azog as he and Thorin clashed upon the ice. “What is the Idiot King doing now?” she cursed. “Does he have a Death wish?”

Ignoring Elladan’s cry of her name, Billa vaulted the ruined wall and ran to give Thorin aid. She was ambushed midway by three Orcs who jumped her from above and distracted her from her goal. After a messy skirmish, Billa came out victorious although she now bore several more cuts and scrapes than before. Including one moderately deep wound to her shoulder from an axe that had shifted her mithril shirt just enough that it found purchase. She hurried down the rocky outcropping only to slip on some ice and snow, losing her footing she went tumbling in a heap onto the frozen river. Scrambling to her feet she watched as the Pale Orc began to bear down on Orcrist from above with his bladed prosthesis. Thorin trapped beneath Azog on the ice. She watched as Thorin shifted Azog’s blade away from his chest, leaning as far away as possible before gritting his teeth and removing Orcrist.

“Thorin!” Billa screamed as Azog’s blade arm pierced Thorin’s left shoulder. “Die foul creature!” the frenzied war cry left her lips as she lunged across the ice at Azog before he could put any more pressure on the wound; severing the Pale Orc’s blade prosthesis off with her long sword and thrusting Sting through the side of the Orc’s head just as Thorin thrust Orcrist into the Pale Orc’s chest. Billa dropped to the dwarf’s side removing Azog’s blade as carefully as possible. Waving her off, the Dwarf King seemed to find some strength and rolled on top of the fallen Orc; putting all his weight onto the sword as it pierced through Azog and into the ice below. Sapped of energy Thorin slumped off the still warm corpse and onto the ice. Billa rushed to his side, dragging him off the centre of the frozen river and into a more covered spot so she could roughly dress the gaping wound and apply pressure, so the King didn’t bleed out.

“Are you an idiot!” she reprimanded hysterically even as her hands methodically dressed the wound with bandages from her medicine pouch. “You have to have lost your mind! That or you have a death wish!” she continued to rant failing to notice the Eagles and the Bear that dropped from the sky. “If you wanted to die that badly, I could have that arranged you egotistical, dim-witted –”

Thorin interrupted her rant with a chuckle. “Billana, it’s good to see you alive,” he said hoarsely. “I- I would part with you in friendship.”

Billa glared at the Dwarrow King. “You. Are. Not. Going. To. Die,” she said pointedly. “Fíli is too young yet for the throne and Dis would see you resurrected solely to kill you herself.”

“I would take back my words and my deeds at the gate. You did what only a true friend would do. Forgive me. I was too blind to see. I am so sorry that I have led you into such peril,” the dramatic Dwarf continued as if Billa had not said a word.

“I’m glad to have shared in your perils, Thorin. Each and every one of them. It is far more than any Baggins deserves,” Billa responded solemnly. “But that by no means is permission for you to die on me you arse! I have suffered much for you and this company, and I have earned my right to discipline you all in my own way. And that means you are not allowed to die, got it!” she ranted. “Now stop talking and rest.”

 It was with great luck that Beorn came across them after running a horde of Orcs off the cliff to their screaming deaths. The Skin-changer shifted forms and approached them. “Beorn! I’m glad to see you!”

“And I you Little Bunny, it seems Oakenshield is injured.”

“Yes, I need to get him to Erebor and off the battlefield, but I do not know where any of my companions are and I cannot lift this Idiot King for the life of me,” she grumbled sending the King a seething glare.

Beorn laughed. “I will help you Little Bunny, have no fear,” he said before once again shifting into his bear form. With surprisingly gentle motions, he picked up the injured Dwarf and slung him over his back before turning soulful black eyes onto the Hobbit. Billa had a feeling the expression booked no argument and simply mounted the Bear herself, shifting Thorin so he would not jostle so badly with his injuries. Hanging on tightly to the Skin changer, Beorn took off at a loping sprint. Avoiding the worst of the battle still raging the Bear successfully delievered Billa and Thorin to the Mountain, where she could see a makeshift battlefield hospital had been constructed close to the Gate. Billa delivered the now unconscious King to the waiting healers, one of which she was glad to see was Oín before she remounted Beorn and headed back out onto the battlefield.

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By nightfall the Battle was over, with the Eagles successfully running the remaining Orcs off. Billa had remained with Beorn for the rest of the Battle and worked with the Great Bear to dispose of a multitude of Orcs. By the time both Bear and Hobbit returned to the Mountain the surviving Dwarrow from the Iron Hills had set up a tent city across the plains in front of the Gates. Despite the debacle before the Battle no Dwarrow questioned her as she walked through the tents seeking her companions; she was certain that was due to her silent protector who strode along behind her growling menacingly at any Dwarf that so much as looked at her. Eventually she found the tent assigned to the Company and was glad to see majority of her companions had gotten away with only mild to moderate injuries.

“Billa!” Ori cried out racing across the tent to where Billa stood observing, drawing the entire tent’s attention. Nori was immediately at her side with a dark scowl across his bearded face.

“Where the hell did you disappear to?” he roared, “one minute you were beside me the next you were gone! I spent half the battle afraid I’d stumble across your corpse.”

Billa winced at the volume. “I’m not exactly sure myself. I think we got separated after the bats swarmed the ruins,” she responded somewhat hesitantly. “Kíli nearly got himself killed by Bolg and I found myself engaged with the bastard to protect the reckless idiot.”

“Oín’s taken charge of the King and his heirs,” Dori said from where he was sat upright in his makeshift cot, his leg tightly bound. “They have their own tent separate to the Company, Balin and Dwalin are with them.”

Billa smiled gratefully at the silver haired Dwarrow for answering her unasked question. “Thank you, Dori. Does anyone know what’s happened with the Elves from Rivendell?”

“They’ve set up Camp on th’ skirts o’ Dale,” Bofur called out from where his wrist was being tended by a Dwarrow from the Iron Hills.

“Okay, thank you,” Billa said, receiving yet another dirty look from another of the Iron Hill healers in the Tent. “I think until the King recalls me, I might stay with Dan and Ro. I do not want to cause tensions with the Dwarrow of the Iron Hills,” she said after a moment, choosing not to look at any of the Iron Hill healers specifically. “I heard several not so concealed whispers on the way here along the lines of ‘traitor scum’ and the like, not sure it would be in your best interest to have me stay here.”

“Who would dare –” Nori began, before turning furious eyes on one of the Healers.

“Don’t waste your breath Nori, Beorn is outside. No one was brave enough to say it straight to my face. It’s not the first time I’ve had to deal with poisonous gossip, but I still think it might be safer for everyone if I stay with Dan and Ro until Thorin wakes up and is able to vindicate me to your kin. Please let Balin know where I am would you,” she said, interrupting Nori before his rant could get started or he got into a fight. “I also wanted to speak with Gandalf, and I believe I am likely to find him in Dale, so for tonight that might be my best bet.” Before anyone could argue with her, she knocked foreheads gently with both Nori and Ori before slipping out of the tent and walking out of the Dwarrow Camp. She mounted Beorn’s Bear form as soon as they were out of the lines of tents, and she let the Bear take her to safety.

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She hadn’t quite been anticipating the Mothering she copped once she was safely ensconced in Elladan and Elrohir’s shared tent. She glared at the laughing Glorfindel, as the Reincarnated Elf Lord watched as Elrond’s sons fussed over her injuries.

“You’re beautiful face!” Elladan mourned as he treated her scrapes with a poultice. “Don’t you worry, I’ll make sure none of these cuts scar. Honestly, Orcs are truly hideous creatures.” Billa’s glare heated as Glorfindel burst into another round of laughter as he sipped at his wine.

“I could not care less if they do Dan,” she said testily. “It is not like I am attempting to attract a marriage partner.”

 It seemed Glorfindel had finally had his fill of laughing at her expense as he intervened. “Come now young ones, let Ivanniel have some space. You’ve been coddling her for hours, if you’re not careful you’ll both end up treating your own wounds once she’s through with you,” he said, though his boyish grin never did leave his face.

Elladan and Elrohir thankfully heeded the Gondolin Lord’s advise and gave her some space to breath while they organised for some spare bedding to be brought to their tent. Billa rolled her eyes skywards, it seemed they weren’t letting her out of their sight for the time being. Sighing, Billa used the opportunity to clean herself up; accepting the sleeping clothes Elrohir offered her and donning them behind the makeshift screen Glorfindel arranged. In no time at all she was clean from the grime of the battle and clothed in the slightly too big, but no less comfortable Elven children’s clothes she’d been given.

“I feel like a faunt again,” she complained slightly stepping out as she untangled her hair from the mess of curls it had become, running her fingers fondly over the braids she still wore.

“It will be just like old times Billana,” Elladan said as he arranged the bedding in the centre of the tent into a nest of blankets and pillows.

“Yes, like when you were a child and Belladonna used to bring you with her to Imladris and we would care of you while she and Father spoke politics,” Elrohir agreed as he helped his brother.

Glrofindel snorted and rolled his eyes. “I don’t think you two will ever truly grow up, will you?” he said. “I will leave you to your rest, I plan to lead a small patrol just to make sure the Orcs are truly gone and all that is left is their dead.” The Elven Lord bowed to the twins and to Billa, before taking his leave from the tent.

It fascinated her that a living legend like Glorfindel treated the Twins with such respect but then given their bloodline, she supposed it should not be surprising. Despite her childish grumblings, she was not opposed to the comfort the Twins offered her as they curled around her among the nest of blankets, furs and pillows they had arranged. And for the first time since Imladris, Billa truly slept soundly.

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The next time Billa woke, it was to raised voices.

“What do you mean she’s still asleep? It’s been three days!” came the familiar shout of Nori.

 “Elrohir induced her into a healing sleep.” Elladan’s voice responded. “Don’t think we did not notice how much weight Ivanniel lost, nor the burns on her feet and the lingering affects of pneumonia. She sustained a number of minor injuries in Battle too.”

“If I didn’t know her well, I would be honestly surprised she was still alive let alone functioning. Ivanniel’s body was very close to giving out on her despite her own stubbornness. A healthy Hobbit requires a minimum of four meals a day at least and its clear she hasn’t been meeting anywhere close to that. She is malnourished and her healing rate greatly affected, it’s a miracle she didn’t get more severely hurt during the Battle,” Elrohir reported.

“I did my best to keep her eating properly, especially after we restocked with Magrûn but whatever disease has befallen Mirkwood was poisoning her. She couldn’t eat, she barely slept. And don’t get me started on the ElvenKing’s Halls,” Nori said, his voice tinged with hysteria.

“For someone so intelligent, Ivanniel can be very very obstinate,” Elladan commented, “you have done well Nori to keep up with her stubbornness.”

“She’s lucky our father isn’t here,” Elrohir added. “I only induced her into a sleep that would see her body regain at least sixty percent of it’s required function, to help deal with the slow healing rate.”

Billa, who had been getting herself decent while listening to the three talking took the opportunity to poke her head out the tent flap and shoot the Twins an irritated glare. “I wish you had at least asked me first you brats,” she snarked as she stepped out into the weak winter sunlight.

“Bil!” Nori cried before rushing forward and catching her in a tight embrace. “Oh, thank Mahal.”

“It’s nice to see you too Nori, and I apologise for scaring you. I had no idea that these two would be stupid enough to put me into a healing sleep without talking to me first,” she said embracing her akrâgnadad and sending another pointed glare at the Twins.

Nori let her go after a few minutes, enough to knock their foreheads together gently. “I am fine akrâgnana’ith, I am just tense is all.”

Billa pulled away to meet his marshy green eyes. “Tense? Why? What’s happened in the Dwarrow Camp?” she asked, her own emerald green eyes wide and flooded with worry.

“With the King severely injured, though Oín is sure he will recover, the Dwarrow Lords who support Dáin are calling for Dáin to take the crown until such a time as the King recovers,” Nori explained somewhat hesitantly.

“Are his heirs not suitable to fulfil their duties as Princes in the absence of their Uncle?” Billa queried, her voice sharp with concern. “Why would the Lords of the Iron Hills wish to push Dáin to be acting regent?”

“Fíli’s leg and his broken ribs interfere with his ability to step in for Thorin, Oín says it’’ll be a while before Fíli will be able to walk let alone fulfil his duties as a Crown Prince,” Nori responded. “And that’s not to mention the severe concussion he took in the fall.”

Billa nibbled on her lip before shakily asking, “and Kíli?”

“By all accounts perfectly capable of stepping in for Thorin. His worst injuries are his healing leg from Mirkwood and a broken collarbone. His skull was thick enough that he was only knocked unconscious for a few hours by Bolg, Oín is certain there was no brain damage beyond whatever was already there in the first place.” Billa chose not to look at Nori as she visibly sighed in relief.

“Alright then, then what’s the problem? Balin can support Kíli and they can deal with any official matters,” she said, a confused moue froming on her lips as she tried to puzzle out the information. “Unless-”

“Unless, the Lords of the Iron Hills are not willing to serve a Prince-in-Exile,” Nori finished. “Aye, and that seems to be the case. The Lords are refusing to treat with anyone except for Dáin since none have been allowed to meet with Thorin. To make matters worse, its only getting more complicated as Bard is still in possession of the Arkenstone and that has the Lords divided over whether or not Thorin even has the right to the Throne. And just to make it more infuriating Thrainduil is being petty and does not wish to treatise with the Dwarrow and is still talking of making war.”

Billa stared a Nori flabbergasted before her eyes narrowed and she snarled a few choice words under her breath. “They are doing, what?” she snarled.

“Yes, so while you were asleep both the Mirkwood Elves and the Iron Hills Dwarrow have been making talk of war. Thorin woke up yesterday from the coma he slipped into from blood loss, and has been asking for you,” Nori said.

“I see,” Billa said shortly. “let me just get dressed and then we will heed Thorin’s request. I have a few choice things I want to say to that Dwarf,” she grumbled before turning and striding back into the tent to where she noticed her pack had been placed.

“Mahal damn whoever pisses her off,” she heard Nori mutter.

“And may Eru strike them down, as that seems kindlier,” the Twins added.

Billa smirked as she donned her cleanest set of travelling clothes; boots, socks, trousers, and loose shirt before she searched her pack for the embroidered bodice, she had sequestered in the bottom spontaneously. She then laced the dark green bodice with embroidery around the hem and laces of Fritillaria in a coral pink thread, before tending to her curls. It appeared as though the Twins had washed it while she had been asleep, which in turn made it easier for her to go about rebraiding her akrâgbaraf and family braids. When she was finally done, she belted on Sting and her hunting knife choosing to leave all her other weapons behind except for a single throwing blade she stored in her bodice’s secret pocket. And with a final glance around turned on her heel for the tent door.

She had a King to talk to.

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It must have been a sight to the Dwarrow, the assemblege of Elves, Dwarrow, Northmen, and Wizards that accompanied her she mused as Nori led them across the Dwarrow Camp. The rarity of the entourage seemed to attract most of the attention away from her, and in some ways, she was grateful that the Twins, Beorn and even Gandalf and Radagast had come with her. However, as they drew closer to the Royal Pavillion – as Nori had put it – the dirty looks from the Dwarrow had centred on her. It was quite clear that they had entered the section of the encampment where the Lords of the Iron Hills had set up.

Beorn growled lowly. “They would do well to keep their eyes – and tongues – to themselves,” he muttered, bearing flashing teeth at a group of Dwarrow who had felt it appropriate to call out a few crude insults directed at her.

“Quiet Beorn, I do not want to explain to Lord Dáin why several of the Lords’ guards have been torn to shreds,” Billa reprimanded, making no effort to conceal her words. “We have had enough messes for one lifetime in just a matter of days, and I don’t need another added to my already growing list.”

“As you say, Little Bunny,” the Skin-changer remarked, with a smirk and a rather unsettling laugh.

They continued to weave through the tents, until they were blocked by a small cluster of armoured Dwarrow. The leader of the small troupe swaggered forth, wearing rather ostentatiously decorated armour.

“Halt. You will go no further,” he ordered imperiously, and Billa couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow to Nori.

“Lord Andvari son of Andri of the Iron Hills, he is one of Lord Dáin’s council,” Nori answered lowly.

“I don’t know who thought it was a good idea to let a rag tag group of no good elves and wizards through but-”

“Apologies my Lord,” Billa interrupted with a sickeningly sweet tone, “I would not dare interrupt a Dwarrow Lord, but you see we were summoned by the King Under the Mountain. I would hate to be late.”

Lord Andvari stared at her gaping for several seconds before sputtering rather childishly. “Now see here, Shire Rat! I have it on good authority you are not to be believed-”

“And I have it on even better authority Lord Andvari that you are once again delving into matters that have nothing to do with you,” a voice sounded from behind the small troupe of Dwarrow soldiers, all of whom fell into a parade rest revealing the very familiar if not slightly raggard face belonging to the youngest Durin Prince. “Now how about you leave my Uncle’s guests alone, and crawl back to your plotting buddies. You know the King has already announced a full pardon for Billana Baggins of the Shire and invoked the ancient rite of Khuzd’buhel.” Billa watched with slight amusement as the Iron Hill Dwarf bowed and left muttering slightly under his breath. It was easier than thinking about the consequences of what Kíli had just revealed.

“Good to see you on your feet my Prince,” Nori said with a smirk, which only widened at Kíli’s exhausted glare.

“Yes well, I’m glad you’ve brought Billa, I am about at my wits end with these Lagâb‘uzzanul and their half witted cronies,” Kíli responded, sending a smile towards the hobbit lass as he rolled his good shoulder uncomfortably; his slinged arm shifting with the movement and causing him to wince. “It’s good to see you Billa,” he said, dark brown eyes meeting emerald green.

“And you Kíli,” she said, returning the smile with her own; the vestiges of her fear draining from her shoulders at the sight of the very alive Dwarrow Prince. “Although don’t think I won’t be telling your mother just how reckless you were during the battle,” she added with a teasing smirk.

“Billa!” Kíli complained, eyes wide in terror. “That’s not fair.”

“It’s not supposed to be,” she responded.

“Good, then you won’t mind if I tell her Highness about just how stupid you have been then Bil,” Nori interrupted, his eyes promising his follow through. Billa wisely decided to change the topic.

“Ah- Thorin will want to see me, I suppose we shouldn’t keep him waiting?”

Nori rolled his eyes, while Kíli and Gandalf chuckled and Billa avoided the amused gazes of her taller friends. “We shouldn’t keep his Majesty waiting,” Beorn said in agreement with a rumbling chuckle.

Billa chose not to comment further, and instead fell in beside Nori as Kíli led the way.

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Billa was not surprised to find the Royal Pavillion guarded by Dwalin and Gloín, she found it fitting that Thorin was guarded by close kin. Especially considering the angle Dáin’s council were trying to take regarding the Arkenstone debacle.

“It’s good t’ see ye in one-piece lass,” Dwalin greeted as Gloín poked his head through the flap covering the tent’s entrance to announce ther arrival.

“And you Dwalin,” she responded kindly.

“The King would prefer if only Billana and Prince Kíli were to enter first,” Gloín said holding the flap open for Billa. “The rest of you are invited to wait until the initial discussion is over.”

Billa winced. “Thorin needs to work on his diplomatic wording,” she groaned.

“We will wait, we are in no hurry,” Elladan answered politely, though he did send a mischievous wink at Billa.

Billa turned to look at Kíli and gestured for him to enter first. The raven-haired Dwarf rolled his eyes but did so without a word. The first thing the hobbit-lass noticed when she entered was how lavish the large pavilion was with its legitimate war cots, and luxurious furs and carpets and the use of braziers. It had her contemplating just how Dáin had managed it, surely it had not been brought from the Iron Hills. The next thing she observed was the three cots, two with occupants and one without; followed shortly by the acknowledgement of the tent’s occupants, the exasperated Dwarrow Healer, the equally exasperated Advisor and the two injured Royals.

“Just telling you now lassie,” Oín began gruffly. “Even though those Elf friends of yours have checked you over, don’t think you won’t be suffering a full examination by me. As the Company Healer, I will be ensuring you have a clean bill of health else you will be chained to a cot for the forseeable future until you do, understand?”

Billa silently thanked Elrohir for putting her into the healing sleep. “Of course, Oín, it is good to see you too,” she answered lightly before turning slightly wary green eyes on Thorin. The last time she had seen the King he had been delirious from pain before falling unconscious, so she wasn’t sure how this conversation was going to go. Kíli’s words from earlier only making her more tense. “You asked for me, you Majesty?”

Thorin frowned, his blue eyes unreadable at her address. “Are we not friends Billana?” he asked surprising her. “I have committed many wrongs against you, and for that I would make amends how ever long it takes. But for no reason can I fathom why you would feel the need to address me so formally.”

Billa blinked owlishly, her eyes flickering to Balin who sent her a small encouraging smile. “I had thought, since we have successfully reclaimed Erebor that it only proper a gentlehobbit such as myself use your proper titles when I address you,” she answered hesitantly, only to be blindsided by the rich laughter that bubbled out from the King.

“Perhaps, any other gentlehobbit would be expected to. You however Billana Baggins have earned the right to speak plainly with this ‘Idiot King’,” he said, quoting her words from Ravenshill.

Billa grimaced slightly. “Sorry about that,” she said, “I was a mite miffed at you,” she explained.

“And right you were to be, lass,” Oín complained as he crushed up several aromatic herbs in his mortar. “Our King successfully shattered his shoulder blade, his right foot, and very well could have died from that shoulder wound had it been any further south.”

“Yes, Oín. I am quite aware,” Thorin sighed in a tone that belied this was not the first time Oín had said this.

“It seems reckless action runs deep in Durin blood,” Billa commented earning a sharp chuckle from the Healer.

“Nothing truer than that lass,” he responded sending a glare at all three royals.

“Now I had called you here for a reason,” Thorin said, shifting his clear blue gaze to observe Billa. “First was to inform you I have made a proclaimation that negates your banishment, and recinds all talk of treason. It is the least I could do to begin to make amends.”

“Thank you Thorin,” Billa responded genuinely, she was still a little wary of the Dwarf and likely would be until all trace of the Gold Sickness was truly dealt with. The shadow of his hands around her neck would likely take longer. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t appreciate his attempts to apologise in more than simply words. Logically she knew he had not been in his right mind when he had said and acted violently towards her but that did not change what had happened, nor excuse his actions.

“The next was to inform you that I have also taken privy to name you Khuzd’buhel, and as such you are to be treated according to your status as a member of my Company, and as my personal kidizbâha.”

“Kidizbâha?” she repeated in query. She fully understood what the word meant, and it was the meaning associated that scared her just a little bit.

“Personal Advisor or Confidant is the best translation for it,” Balin offered.

Billa glanced between Thorin and Balin wide-eyed. “Why on earth would you want me to be your personal representative? I’m just a Hobbit.”

“Ah but that’s where you’re wrong Billa,” Kíli interrupted. “Uncle needs people he can trust at his side right now and having yet another member of the company who is skilled in negotiation and administration to help with the aftermath of this mess only makes sense.”

Billa shot a slightly confused look at Kíli before his words sunk in and she turned wide green eyes back onto the King in bewilderment. “You want me to be your spokesperson?” she demanded somewhat hysterically. “Thorin have you forgotten what it was I did?”

“I didn’t injure my head Billana,” Thorin responded sourly.

“Do forgive me for not believing you. Why else would you be suggesting that the most hated person out of your Company in the eyes of at least the Iron Hill Dwarrow – and probably a good chunk of the Mirkwood Elves – be your official spokesperson and representative while you are healing from your wounds?”

“Because you are the best suited for the role,” Fíli slurred groggily having woken from the snooze he had been in since she had entered the tent. “You are the Chennad of your people, and a gentle hobbit. You are the most overqualified Royal advisor come representative there is aside from maybe Balin.” The blond continued to ramble. “Honestly, even if Thorin was able to oversee a council he probably shouldn’t because he is likely only say something he shouldn’t anyway. So, it only makes sense that he puts you in charge. At least that way everything won’t go to shit within a blink of an eye.”

Green eyes widened as the blond Prince spoke, sending his brother into fits of laughter and his Uncle into flabbergasted gaping. Firstly, it had been the most she had heard Fíli say in the one breath, and secondly, she was baffled by his lack of tact. “What in Yavanna’s good name did you give him Oín?” she asked the Healer who was also observing the blond with a raised eyebrow.

“Perhaps I was a bit too heavy handed with the poppymilk,” he considered. “Lad’s not entirely awake it seems.”

“Mother Yavanna, Oín you should know Fíli has zero tolerance to poppy-milk. He’s like his mother, and Grandfather,” Billa groaned.

“Ahh, I’d forgotten that. Oh well, he’ll sleep it off,” the Healer shrugged ignoring Billa’s irritated glare.

“Despite the poppy-milk induced honesty,” Balin began, “Fíli is right. Until Thorin is well enough to take up his duties at his bed side, you are the best suited for the task of negotiating peace. Kíli is the direct Representative of the Line of Durin, but Thorin and I both believed it was better for you speak in his stead.”

“For one, you have a better way with words,” Fíli piped up before giggling like a child. “You’re more in touch with general emotions other than brooding.”

Kíli snorted audibly at his brother’s words.

“Yes. Thank you for pointing out my flaws Irakdashat,” Thorin groaned, “but truthfully yes. That is exactly why. We need to reach peace with the Elves of Mirkwood and the Northmen, and I do not want the Lords of the Iron Hills inciting Dáin to go to War. Winter is fast approaching, and it is going to be a harsh one if all the signs are to be read right. We must reach agreement with the Men and Elves, else we shall all starve. We cannot eat gold afterall,” he explained, slumping slightly into his pillows as the burden of their reality weighed down on him.

Billa considered the King’s words silently, observing him with sharp green eyes and mulling it over. “I accept,” she said after several long minutes. “But I have conditions,” she added quickly, cutting Thorin off. “I will likely have to make decisions on the fly if you wish for me to represent you in a treatise with the Elves and Northmen. I need to have your word that if I make a promise – of reasonable grounds – in my name on your behalf you will uphold and honour it.”

Thorin’s frown softened into an amused smile. “You have my word, Billana Baggins of Bag End. And should I break it may Mahal strike me down himself.”

Satisfied, Billa continued. “Very well. Secondly. It will be you, Thorin, who explains what is going on to Dáin. If I have my way these negotiations will take place in no-mans-land and have each party’s leader in attendance. This includes Dáin. I need you to make sure he understands he will be attending in representation of his people and his own interest. Not the interest of Erebor or her King, do I make myself clear? I will not fight with your cousin over misinterpretations.”

“I will be summoning Dáin shortly, so you have my word Balin and I will explain,” Thorin agreed.

“Good. Finally, while I will act as your representative to the Dwarrow of the Iron Hills alongside Balin and Kíli. I will be the mediator of these treaty talks, and Kíli will stand in for you with Balin at his side,” she said, raising her hand to cut Thorin off from interrupting her. “If you want peace, someone will need to remain in a mediatorial role to ensure the needs of each party be met with the least angst possible,” she explained. “I have every confidence if you speak with Kíli about what it is Erebor and the Company bring to the table he will convey your will with grace. Da- The others will need to see you have faith in your own blood to represent your thoughts and desires. I will of course do my best to help, but my primary goal will initially be to avoid all threat of war.”

Thorin frowned but considered her words, shifting his gaze to his fidgeting nephew. “I see, your final condition has merit. Kíli?” he said before addressing his nephew directly.

“Yes?” the dark-haired prince near squeaked.

“Would you see that Erebor and our Company are represented in the Peace talks, in my place?” the King asked, his expression open and fond. “I was afraid to ask you directly, as I did not want to burden you with the stress. But I see now, I was wrong to assume as much. You and your brother have proved yourselves many times over on this Quest. It is time I stop treating you like children, and instead trust in the young Dwarrow Princes you have become.”

Kíli’s eyes glossed over in the shimmer of the braziers before he cleared his throat a genuine grin pulling at plump lips. “Of course, Uncle!” Billa smiled quietly and averted her eyes from the knowing look Oín was gracing her with. She did not want to go there.

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After a few more questions and requests had been clarified and approved, the others were invited into the pavilion. Balin had made Dwalin fetch some more chairs as the others trailed in led by Gandalf. Once everyone was seated, with Billa choosing to stand and reintroductions had been made properly the conversation resumed.

“First of all, I would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to you, Sons of Elrond and to your kin for coming to our aid during the Battle. I fear our losses would have been catastrophic had it not been your timely arrival in Dale,” Thorin said graciously from where he had been propped up in his cot by a fussy Oín. Elladan and Elrohir nodded in acknowledgement. “Secondly, with winter approaching and fast it is in Erebor’s best interest to treatise with the Northmen and the Elves of Mirkwood,” he continued, barely concealing his grimace at the thought of treating with Thrainduil. “I was not in my right mind before the Battle, and that hurt any negotiations that took place. I would like to reinstigate the negotiations for Peace and have requested that Billana act as the Mediator.”

Elrohir raised an eyebrow and shifted his grey-eyed gaze to meet Billa’s emerald eyes. “And what did you say Ivanniel?”

“Yes, of course,” Elladan scoffed elbowing his twin. “Ivanniel can’t help herself.”

“This is a well thought decision Thorin,” Gandalf mused, puffing on his pipe. “Having someone with little stakes at risk mediate the talks, will likely ease Bard’s mind.”

“And Thrainduil?” Beorn grumbled, bushy eyebrows raised in disbelief.

“He will attend,” Gandalf responded with a mischievous smirk. “I am happy to serve as messenger of the invitation.”

Thorin nodded graciously. “Thank you Tharkûn, your aid would be most appreciated,” he said with a tired smile. “I would also extend an invitation to both you and Radagast, and of course to you as well Magrûn,” he added, clear Durin blue eyes meeting the unfathomable black of the SkinChanger. “Dáin will also be in attendance as the leader of the Iron Hills, Kíli and Balin will be standing in my stead.”

“You will not be hosting the talks yourself?” Radagast queried confused.

“No, he will not,” Oín responded irately, glaring at the King as he once again shifted in discomfort. “He is not well enough to even host at the current moment, but it must be done. Now, Tharkûn has agreed to extend the invitation to those in Dale, Thorin. It is time for you to get some rest, and no, paperwork does not count as rest. Leave that for Balin to look over,” the Healer vented, his glare daring Thorin to argue.

Realising a lost battle when he saw one, Thorin retreated strategically. “As you say Oín,” he said with a placating smile at the Healer who just grumbled under his breath. “I will leave the details to Balin to explain Tharkûn. Please forgive my current state, it seems I am indeed not as well as I had hoped,” he continued addressing the rest of them.

“Your Healer is quite correct your Majesty,” Elrohir stated with a wry smirk pulling at his lips. “What your injuries need is uninterrupted rest, the more you jostle your wounds the longer it will take to heal even with the added help of treatment.”

“Not even Elvish healing can help if the patient does not heed the directives of their healer,” Elladan remarked, with a grimace. “I have had my fair share of battle wounds, and I would not wish the frustration of healing on anyone.”

“And this is why I am the better at healing between the two of us,” Elrohir snarked at his twin. Billa snorted.

“Elrohir, you are an even bigger baby when it comes to being forced to be idle,” the hobbit teased, giggling.

Elrohir whipped around to stared at her aghast. “Ivanniel!”

“I only speak the truth,” she responded impishly, before her expression turned serious. “Now we all best return to our required duties and leave his Majesty to his rest. I will leave Gandalf to you Balin if I may, I would like to take Kíli and Nori and see about arranging what we need.”

“A sound idea lassie,” Balin agreed standing from his chair with a quiet groan.

“We will return to our encampment, Ivanniel,” Elladan said after a silent conversation with his twin.

“Yes, I have several patients to check on in Dale,” Elrohir agreed.

“I will go with them,” Radagast said, “I would like to offer my help to the Men of Esgaroth.”

“And you Beorn?” Billa asked as she watched the others rise from their seats and meander out of the tent, many in conversation.

“I will remain with you Little Bunny, you may need my help,” the Bear answered, nodding to Thorin before he ducked out of the tent. Billa turned to look at Nori and Kíli bemused.

“You’d think I was a pet that needed caring for,” she pouted slightly.

Nori coughed to hide his smile. “I wonder why that could be?”

Neither Dwarrow could hide their laughter when the hobbit cottoned on to the sarcasm. Billa glared sharply at them both before striding off muttering under her breath about bebothing Dwarrow and their confusticating natures.

Chapter Text

It took three days to organise a suitably sized tent to serve as the conference area, and not to mention source appropriate furniture. Billa had ended up doing a lot of the furniture arranging herself, as the Iron Hill Dwarrow who had been sent to help were not very useful. Thankfully for the hobbit, she was able to get everything in order – with some assistance from a nickname loving Skinchanger – before the talks were set to begin. As the weak sun dawned, Billa found herself already dressed and working over several loose parchments. Her quill scratching furiously, only to be stalled by the clink of re-inking. She had been awake for several hours already noting down a list of issues that would need to be addressed.  

“-going to have to make a deal with Thrainduil for adequate supplies, maybe working with Bard we can arrange for an exchange; fish for something of equal worth-” she muttered to herself, tapping her cheek idly with the feathered end of her quill. 

“Talking to oneself is the first sign of madness,” Nori’s voice came, as the Thief held the flap of her private tent open. Billa had requested that the Twins have a – small – tent erected next to the Meeting Pavillion so that she had her own place to sleep that was separated from all the attending parties. Her request had only been granted on the condition that once peace had been negotiated and the talks shifted on to other less pressing matters that she would return to one of the ready-made encampments.  

“Nori, my sanity has always been in question why are you at all surprised,” she responded, her eyes still skimming the pages of notes in front of her. “What brings you out to the middle of nowhere?” she asked, finally tearing her attention from her parchments to look at him over her shoulder.  

“I was coming to check you were awake, not that I thought you wouldn’t be but I still hoped you had slept more,” he answered, stepping into the candlelit tent and meandering across to where she was sat at the small table she had sourced. “You’ve been busy.” 

Billa raised her eyebrow at the Thief. “When did you become Captain Obvious? I thought that title belonged to Bofur?” she smirked slightly at the deadpanned glare he sent her before answering his unvoiced question. “Yes, I have been. I’ve been working on a list of things that will need to be raised during the peace talks.” 

“Well that first one is pretty important I think,” he commented before reading aloud, “terms in which disarmament can be negotiated and a peace accord arranged.” 

“It is the whole reason we will be meeting after all. But I spoke with Thorin yesterday about the coming winter and aside from descalation we need to be looking towards surviving the winter months until the caravans from New Nogrod arrive,” she explained, pointing out several of the ink-covered parchments with various ideas scribbled on them.  

“Makes sense I suppose, the supplies from the Iron Hills will only go so far,” Nori conceded.  

“It’s not just that Nori, the refugees from Laketown will need shelter and supplies as much as we do, except, we have Erebor. They have a ruined city that has just been besieged and further destroyed,” Billa said quietly. 

Nori exhaled exasperatedly. “Billa, that is not what we are-” 

“Yes, it is. Nori,” she retorted sharply, emerald eyes daring him to argue. “Once a truce is negotiated, we will need to look to creating alliances if we are going to survive. There are no ‘if’s’ or ‘but’s’ about it, the refugees of Laketown will need us, and we will need them. We are at a disadvantage with numbers as no doubt, Dáin will send majority of his army back to the Iron Hills before winter truly sets in. Our friends from Imladris will be leaving within the week at best, likely to shelter in Lorien until Spring. We need allies, not just a truce.” 

Nori’s frown deepened but he did not argue. “Right so how are you planning on managing that? Even if you convince Bard, Thrainduil hates Dwarrow he is unlikely to want anything to do with this,” he asked instead. 

“Thrainduil will agree if I have my way,” Billa promised with a sweet smile and a gleam in her eyes that did not bode well for her opponent. Nori shivered and diverted his gaze; it was too bad he would not get to sit in on the fun. “Are you prepared for your role?” 

Nori’s eyes glistened with excitement when they met hers. “I am honestly still in shock that the old fox approved,” he responded.  

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Billa chuckled, “and really you shouldn’t be Nori. Wasn’t it you who warned me just how cunning Balin could be?” 

“That’s true,” he conceded before slipping into Greenspeech. “But to request that I spy on our fellow Dwarrow was not quite what I had in mind.” 

“Perhaps not, but Balin agreed with me when I brought up how strange it was that Dáin arrived with such a large army in so short a period. An army of that size takes longer than two weeks to arrive and Thorin could not have requested them any sooner as the Ravens only returned once Smaug was dead,” Billa responded, standing from her seat and beginning to organise her papers for the meeting.  

“I get that Bil, but to go so far as to request that I sneak about the Lords of the Iron Hills?” the Thief responded with a raised eyebrow.  

“Balin is less inclined to think Dáin has anything to do with it than I am, but we agree that the Lords have been acting suspiciously,” she admitted as she went about pulling on her boots over socked feet and draping her thick wolf-fur coat around her shoulders and belting it on.  

“Well since Dáin will be busy with these talks, it will hopefully loosen tongues in the Lords sector,” he responded, handing her the papers she had left stacked neatly on the table. “Do you have everything?” 

Billa checked her pockets before nodding. “Yes, I think so. I do hope everyone remembers that the meeting is to be weapon-free,” she said frowning slightly as she removed a throwing knife she’d missed when disarming the night before.  

“I wish you would keep at least a blade hidden on you,” Nori sighed, already knowing she would disagree.  

Her glare confirmed his intuition. “If the person who made the condition does not herself adhere to it, would be grounds for suspension of any armistice agreement,” she recited at him. “I will not make myself a liar if there is no need to. Plus,” she added with a sly smirk, “I would never take away an old man’s staff.” She winked before she exited the tent. Nori following behind a few moments later with a low chuckle.  

“You are a devious one, Bil,” he said amused.  

“Thank you,” she replied with a winning smile, eyes glittering with her own amusement as she led the way to the Meeting Pavilion.  

“It wasn’t necessarily a compliment,” Nori clarified with a smirk.  

“I know.” 

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Billa’s face fell into her palms as she groaned yet again in total exasperation. Once again Dáin and Thrainduil had got into an argument in the middle of the negotiations that had devolved into yet another round of petty insults. It had taken nearly two hours just to get the negotiations started, and Billa was beginning to grow frustrated with the two Lords.  

“Quiet!” she screeched, silencing the tent instantly. Her eyes flashed dangerously as she stood on her chair to draw everyone’s attention solely to her. “I have had quite enough childish behaviour for one day,” she snapped glaring piercingly at the Elven King and Dwarf Lord. “Now if you two have stopped behaving like naughty faunts, I would like to end this petty squabble here. I have yet to be given my fourteenth share of the treasure as was stated in my contract, isn’t that right Balin,” she said looking to the amused Advisor. What amused him she didn’t know.  

“Yes, I have the contract with me if anyone would like to verify it,” he agreed pulling it from his robes. 

“Very good,” she thanked, before turning narrowed eyes on Thrainduil. “In return for your cooperation King Thrainduil I will exchange the White gems of Lasgalen which I will request as my fourteenth share. However, this will be on the condition that I expect you to act like the ruler you are supposed to be and not the petty hên I currently see before me, for the remainder of these negotiations. Am I understood?” she said, her tone daring the Elf to challenge her.  

“How do I know you will keep your word,” he retorted, his expression blank but likely hiding a pout to Billa’s slight amusement.  

“Because Ori is currently taking note of every word that is being said for the transcripts of these talks. I will be held accountable to my word, by every being in this tent,” the hobbit responded gesturing to her akrâgnana’ who had been quietly recording every word said diligently. “I would hazard that even your petty insults have made it into the transcript. Now Lord Dáin before you ask, I have already cleared with Thorin that any promise I make that may affect him has his approval under the acknowledgement that it must be within reason. Balin is here to see this followed through.” 

“She can’t be serious Balin! Th’ White Gems o’ Lasgalen as ‘er fourteenth share?” Dáin exclaimed explosively, once again proving his lung capacity was astronomical.  

“Miss Baggins speaks the truth, I myself was there when she spoke with the King. I find that her suggestion to request the gems as her reward share quite reasonable. As far as the Quest is concerned, there is little doubt the Company would have made it as far as Laketown without her,” the Advisor answered calmly. “I also only see the transference of the transaction from between Erebor and Mirkwood to being between Miss Baggins and his Majesty Thrainduil to be beneficial. The rift caused by those Gems has gone on long enough. I am sure the King will be relieved to hear how Miss Baggins has kindly accepted the responsibility of that particular negotiation.” 

Billa’s expression remained unchanged even as she snorted internally at Balin’s covert insult to Thrainduil. “Now are we all in agreeance that the matter regarding the Gems of Lasgalen is no longer an obstacle to our current negotiations?” she inquired firmly, meeting the eyes of everyone at the table. Beorn, Gandalf and Radagast were quick to voice their agreement, the Skinchanger likely out of sheer boredom. Bard followed suit shortly after Balin and Kíli had agreed, leaving a pouting Elf King and a bewildered Dwarf Lord the last to agree. Eventually they agreed, albeit reluctantly and Billa requested Ori take note of the unanimous agreement before moving the conversation on. “Now Bard, what are your requests of the Company for the return of the Arkenstone?” 

The once-bargeman looked around the table nervously. It was quite clear he was not comfortable being the spokesman for his people. “Only what was promised. My people will need gold enough to rebuild their lives and livelihoods.” 

Billa nodded calmly in slight encouragement. “That is understandable, Balin, Kíli? What would the King have done?” 

“King Thorin would first like to pass on a heartfelt apology to Bard the Bowman for his words under the influence of the Dragon Sickness, and also extend an acknowledgement of a life debt to the one who defeated Smaug,” Balin intoned first, bowing slightly to the new ruler of the Northmen of Esgaroth.  

“What says you Bard?” Billa prompted, with an encouraging smile.  

The Man looked around baffled before answering. “I accept the apology but a life debt?” 

“You defeated the Dwarrows mortal enemy, it is only fitting that their King acknowledges the life debt that you are now owed,” Gandalf explained to the Man.  

“Then I suppose I have no choice but to accept that too,” Bard said with a slightly concerned expression.  

“I will pass on your answers to the King, he will likely wish to communicate with you personally once he is cleared by his Healer,” the Advisor said, bowing again before turning to Kíli who it had been decided would be the one to explain what Erebor would offer the Men of Esgaroth.  

“My Uncle has already declared he would see you what you are owed Bard, however he would also like to extend an offer to your people to shelter within Erebor’s Halls for the winter. It is our understanding that this winter will be worse than most and considering the current circumstances of your people, he would like to begin to make amends by ensuring their continued survival,” the dark haired Dwarrow Prince said, and Billa hid her proud smile; Kíli had been conducting himself exquisitely throughout the negotiations so far.  

Bard stared; jaw dropped at Kíli while Dáin stood from his seat. “Thorin said WHAT?” he demanded. 

Kíli looked to Balin for assurance before strengthing his seated stance and turning his eyes on his distant cousin. “Uncle does not see the point in further distancing Erebor from her potential allies,” he responded, brown eyes firm. “It is our understanding that there was once a strong alliance between the city of Dale and the Dwarrow of Erebor, one born not just from shared economic strength and proximity but also one of friendship. Thorin would have this alliance renewed, and to do so he first had to make amends with the Descendent of Girion and his people. Gold can only do so much, and with the onset of winter it is unlikely that it will ensure survival.” 

Bard – who had until that moment been struck speechless – stood from his seat, his eyes ablaze. “He is offering shelter in the Mountain?” 

“That, and shared co-habitance for the winter months,” Balin confirmed. “There will of course be some general conditions, but they can be addressed at a later time.” 

“You will also be allocated a portion of the Horde of Thror after negotiations as to amounts have been conducted,” Kíli added, “Thorin would like to host those negotiations personally, and I will admit I agree that might be for the best.” 

“I am satisfied that you will honour your words,” Bard said after a moment’s silence. “I agree to the terms put forth and am in favour of a full truce between my people and Erebor. I didn’t really want to go to war in the first place,” he admitted. 

Billa smiled brightly. “It seems you have an accord,” she said looking between the Man and her Companions.  

“Indeed, it does,” Balin agreed his eyes showing his own relief. “I will pass this on to his Majesty, I am sure he will be in touch as soon as he can.” 

“He was quite critically injured, wasn’t he?” Bard inquired retaking his seat.  

“That hasn’t stopped him from working,” Balin answered with an exasperated sigh. 

“Uncle has trouble being idle and while Oín – his Healer – won’t let him attend these talks in person he is still working from his sickbed. It’s driving Oín wild,” Kíli added with a boyish grin, the first break of composure since they had begun.  

“So, you have what you want then,” Thrainduil interrupted somewhat cattily, “is there any need for this farce to continue?” 

Billa’s eyes narrowed on the Elf King. “Farce? Your Majesty?” she inquired her voice light. 

“Yes, I don’t see what the point of this ‘negotiation’ is really about,” he answered somewhat flippantly sipping from a goblet he had brought with him. “I am only here to negotiate the return of my property, and that has been deemed an irrelevant matter, so once again I ask: is there any need for this farce to continue?” 

Billa stood from her chair and deftly climbed onto the table before slowly stalking forward, her expression completely blank except for blazing eyes. “You Thrainduil Oropherion are the most cowardly, selfish person I have met in my entire life,” she said coldly, pinning him with a glare that successfully stunned the elf. “From the moment I first came across you, you have proven yourself time and again to only think of yourself – albeit you do try to word it as for the good of your people. Your actions in the Battle made me hope that there was still the honor of a Legendary Elven Warrior within you but now I see that wine and solitude have corrupted what little honour you had left,” she said, a sneer pulling at her lips.  

“How dare-” Thrainduil began, rising from his seat. 

“Sit. Down!” she snapped, her voice reverberating around the tent with innate power. “I do dare Thrainduil Oropherion, because someone must!” The shocked ElvenKing slowly sank into his seat as every eye was glued to the now glowing hobbit stood on the table a foot from where the Elf was sat. Billa became aware she was not in full control of her body as her mouth continued to speak, the words echoing in her head as loudly as they echoed around the tent.  

“Too long have you hidden in your Halls, cut off from the world and from life itself. Too long have you ignored your duties as one of the Elven rulers of Arda, Orophorion. You chose to remain on Arda shores when the fade called to you, but you have no one to blame but yourself for your pains!” The hobbit lass had been encased in an unearthly glow, and her eyes blazed like emerald fires. “You chose to continue this life, and you have shamed many with your actions so far. Now is the time for this cowardice of yours to end, you fear death and destruction for your people no more than any at this table. Yet you do not acknowledge that you have the power to ensure not just their survival but that they thrive beyond measure! Your hatred against my Husband’s children is misplaced Oropherion, let it go. My Childe has presented an appeasement that will suit all parties involved, one that has mine and my Husband’s blessing. You will adhere to it!”  

Billa internally gasped as she was gently encompassed within the comforting warmth of her Creator’s presence. She had never felt it so completely before. Realising what was happening she stopped fighting for control and sank into the cacoon of warmth that encased her. 

“My Lady Yavanna,” Radagast exclaimed joyously rising to his feet and bowing deeply to the glowing hobbit.  

“Aiwendil,” the echoing voice said fondly, as glowing eyes turned to look at the raggedy Wizard. “I am very proud of you my Maia; you have served your duty well so far. My Childe has finally recognised my presence and has stopped fighting me, but my time here is short,” she said before turning challenging eyes on the ElvenKing who had grown pale with the acknowledgement of who it was who was speaking to him. “Now Oropherion, I will not stand for any more delays caused by your petty grudges. You have allowed Ungoliant’s spawn to wreak havoc upon the Greenwood, and due to your lack of care Morgoth’s Servant was able to regain a foothold in Arda! In your brooding you have lost sight of who and what you are. May this serve as a wakeup call that you have a duty to the world you call your home,” Yavanna’s voice scolded the Elf before turning to Gandalf. “Olórin, I would like to thank you for your role in guiding my Childe, and request that you do your best to continue doing so. She is more precious than it would seem. My time is up, I must return to my Husband’s side. May it be known that Mahal is proud of his children for returning home, but it is time to fix what was broken and give the Mountain back her heart.” 

Before anyone could question it, the ethereal glow that had surrounded the hobbit faded gently as she slowly slumped to the table. Billa stirred a moment later and whined childishly as she sat up, tears in the corners of her eyes. “That was not fair,” she grumbled with a slight pout, “I was enjoying that.” 

“W-What was that?” Bard breathed eyes blown wide. 

“That my dear fellow,” Gandalf began, studying the pouting hobbit in a new light. “Was the spirit of the Valier Yavanna Kementári, the Fruit-Giver. Wife of Aúle, Mother of the Ents and of Hobbits and one of the Aratar responsible for the growth of all the fruits and growing things of Arda.” 

“Th-Tha’ was Kaminzabdûna?” Dáin asked, shakily gazing at the the hobbit in awe. 

“Yes, that was my Lady! Her presence is very gentle and nurturing but no less awesome than that of her Husband or Lord Manwé or Lady Varda. She is one of the only Valar that have a connection with Arda and are able to project their presence for short periods of time. It is very rare for her to do so, certainly since Melian – her Maia kin – returned to Aman,” Radagast rambled excitedly. Billa took a deep breath to recalibrate her senses, being possessed by the spirit of her Creator had not been something she had ever thought was possible. Once she felt more settled, she stood up a little shakily as a tingly sensation washed over her before she turned to the shell shocked ElvenKing.  

“Since Our Lady Yavanna saw fit to intercede on my behalf, I would like to ask you Thrainduil Orophorion: do you still think these negotiations to be a farce?” Billa took an inordinate amount of pleasure from the slightly fearful gleam that filtered through the ElvenKing’s eyes as he met her gaze.  

“No,” he answered quietly.  

“Good, then you will understand that by setting aside the Gems of Lasgalen, I was intending to have you sit as the ruler of your people and not a begrudged ellon. Winter is upon us, within weeks according to the signs there will be a snowstorm. We need to be ready,” she said bluntly. “The feud between you and the line of Durin needs to end here, your Majesty. I do not think you are stupid enough to ignore the words of one of the Valier.” 

Thrainduil was silent for several moments, before he slumped slightly and shut his eyes. “I will sign an armistice treaty between Mirkwood and Erebor,” he stated, his eyes flashing open to gaze at her sharply. “Under the condition that all parties represented at this table sign it in the presence of each other.” 

Billa conceded the ElvenKing’s request. “I see no issue with such a condition, although I will allow you to take up the matter with Thorin’s Healer personally since it is your request that Thorin be the one to sign it,” she responded with only mild vindictive pleasure at the irritation that crossed his face. “Before anything is signed however, I would request that all are in aggreance to the terms that need to be met. If we are doing this, we are going to do it properly once and for all,” she said staring every occupant of the tent down. “I do not wish to be possessed again because my Lady Yavanna’s words have not been heeded,” she threatened before walking back across the table to her seat and calmly sitting down. She studied the various stunned expressions of the menfolk before smiling sunnily. “Now. Shall we?” 

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It took a further three days between them, to debate and negotiate each topic to be agreed on before Billa had been able to write up the document a total of five times. They had decided on five copies so that there would be an original copy of the Accords of Heddwch kept in Mirkwood, Erebor and in Dale, as well as Billa and Gandalf keeping a copy each. Billa hadn’t quite understood why she had had to be given a copy, but she hadn’t argued. By morning of the fifth day Billa had completed the documents and the council reconvened once again, this time with Thorin in attendance for the first time.  

Billa had been amused to find out from Nori, that Thrainduil had indeed personally requested Thorin to attend in a private conference between the two monarchs only to end up in an intense argument with Oín. The outcome of the argument had had Thrainduil stating that he would personally ensure the Dwarf-King was healed enough that it would not set back his overall healing. Billa had been crying from the force of her laughter when she found out the prideful elf had taken to being Thorin’s secondary Healer. Still it had meant that Thorin’s wounds had been stabilised enough that he had been able to be transported in a sedan-chair to the tent; which had been renamed in the days it had been used to being known as the Council Pavillion. It was decided that the signatories of the Accords would be the four rulers and Billa as mediator, with both Wizards and Beorn witnessing it. Billa watched in satisfaction as the last signature was written and the Accords were sealed in wax. 

“Have talks begun regarding the plans to see out Winter?” Thorin asked, as he accepted his copy of the Accords from Ori who had been divvying them to their recipients.  

“Not in depth,” Bard answered, “it has been raised but it was decided that the armistice and alliances needed to be negotiated first.” 

“Ah, I see,” the King answered, coughing slightly; a side affect of being injured so severely and too much exposure to the cold had been the development of pneumatic symptoms. “Oín will have my head if I am not back by the time that was arranged, but I would like to personally offer my assistance to you Bard.” 

“I will gladly accept the offer of shelter and co-habitance for the duration of winter King Thorin,” the man responded with a slightly relieved sigh. “I will come meet with you perhaps tomorrow after you have seen some rest to discuss some of the more pressing matters at your convenience.” 

Thorin cracked a small smile at the offer. “I would take offence but as my Healer has complained about the nature of my injuries enough, I must agree that I am in no state to continue today. I will send a messenger later this afternoon with what Oín thinks is best.” 

“The faster you are able to settle the conditions of co-habitance the quicker you will be able to settle into the Mountain,” the ElvenKing commented drily, affecting a nonchalant stance. “And that is what will help you get back on your feet faster, your infuriating Healer and I have both told you this.” Billa bit her lip to avoid snorting with laughter at the chiding nature of Thrainduil’s words.  

“On that note,” Thorin said, turning his eyes to Billa, “Balin has explained how you wish to deal with the White Gems of Lasgalen. I have asked him to take Bifur and find them in the Horde so that you may do with them as you will, but I will not be holding it to your share of the reward.” 

Billa stared at the Dwarf King in confusion. “Why not? I have already told you I am a hobbit I do not need any sort of monetary reward.” 

“That is for me to know,” he responded vaguely. “You are helping the Line of Durin right a wrong as a favour, I will not hold it to your share of the reward.” By his tone, Billa knew there was no point in arguing further.  

“As you say, your Majesty,” she answered drily withholding her sigh.  

“Ah, that reminds me,” Bard piped up, digging into his jerkin before he produced a ball of linen. “I believe now is as good a time as any to return this to it’s rightful owner,” he said unwrapping the linen to reveal the ethereal white glow of the Arkenstone. “I believe this belongs to you, Thorin son of Thrain, son of Thror,” the Man intoned before he handed the stone to the dumbstruck Dwarrow. Billa watched the King warily as he carefully cradled the stone they had set out on the Quest to reclaim, but his eyes remained their natural Durin blue as they filled with tears.  

Thorin choked on a cough, and gently recovered the stone before he met the Bowman’s eyes. “Thank you, Bard of the line of Girion. I cannot express how much this means to me, but I still do not trust myself to keep it. Not that long ago I was still ensared by the same sickness of the Mind that stole my Grandfather’s sanity. Until I know for sure that I will not backslide I would rather you keep this, as a token that I will keep my word,” he said, handing the covered stone back to the Bowman, and covering his hands with his own pale and shaky ones. 

“Ye would hav’ a Man hold th’ Arkenstone?” Dáin asked bewildered. 

“Not just any man Dáin, but the true heir of Dale and the Slayer of Smaug,” Thorin answered strongly. “Until the time comes that a Coronation be held, Bard descendent of Girion will be the minder of the King’s Jewel by the King’s decree. Am I understood Cousin?” 

Dáin stared at Thorin. “Aye, I understand Thorin. I still think ye a crazy bastard fer it though,” he answered. “Stone or no, ye’re still t'e King Under t’e Mountain.” 

“Then it is settled. I should return to Oín before I get nagged to death,” Thorin said, coughing again.  

“I will see you to that infuriating healer of yours,” Thrainduil said, standing from his seat as Balin helped Thorin from his. “I have a few things I would like to discuss with you.” 

“As you wish,” Thorin agreed politely. Billa had to avert her gaze lest she start laughing at the pained expressions on both Elf and Dwarrow faces. The truce was still fresh and the polite tones they used when speaking to each other were tense. It was beyond comical to the hobbit, who took some pleasure in watching the two of them struggle. It was their just deserts afterall for being stubborn idiots, in her opinion. As Thrainduil was leaving the Pavilion he called out to her over his shoulder.  

“Miss Baggins, I will have my son let you know when I am ready for our conversation, he will also serve to escort you to my accommodations.” 

“Of course, your Majesty,” she responded, having assumed as much already. She would speak with Balin about arranging the gems as soon as possible.  

“I will see you then,” he said in farewell, before sweeping out of the tent. Almost immediately Bard sank back into his seat from where he had stood respectfully as Thorin and Thrainduil left. 

“I don’t know about any of you, but this is exhausting,” he said slumping slightly.  

“Being a King, comes wit’ a great deal o’ paperwork,” Dáin commented. “I hate th’ stuff personally, tha’s why I’m glad I’m only a Vassal of Erebor,” he explained with a full bellied chortle, “still too much paperwork, bu’ less ‘n wha’ Thorin will hav’ t’ deal wit’.” Billa raised an eyebrow at the Dwarrow Lord’s comments, well it certainly did not sound as if Dáin wanted to usurp the throne of Erebor from his cousin. However, Billa had yet to decide if the Dwarrow Lord was as genuine as he appeared or if he was simply a very good actor. She kept her thoughts to herself as the remaining members of the negotiations slowly trailed out of the tent and on with their day.  

. 

. 

. 

Two days later saw the Mirkwood elves pack up their camp and leave with the reinforcements from Imladris. As the Elves and Dunedáin began their journey home, the Dwarrow of the Iron Hills had set to work making the mountain habitable for the winter, with many of the uninjured Manish refugees helping where they could. Many of the women had jumped at the chance to help dust and clean the chambers that had been allocated to be sured up and used for the upcoming months. Billa had been ecstatic to find out that among the supplies the Wood Elves had brought the Men of Esgaroth there had been a hidden stache of lemons, and had been quick to teach the women how to create cleaning products from the citrus fruit. Between the joint efforts of Man, Dwarf, Hobbit and Skinchanger, a good portion of the precinct had been cleaned and reinforced enough to start moving.  

It had been decided to set up the makeshift settlement in the Topaz Level of the Copper District close to the now lit Great Forges that served as the Erebor’s heating system. So once the damage had been stabilised the Men and Dwarrow began to move their injured out of the wilde and into the safety of the mountain. Beorn had taken to leading hunting parties of Dwarrow and Men to source fresh meat, despite his own distaste for it. While the fishermen that had survived both the Dragon and the Battle had taken to the lake to fish. Bombur had ended up in charge of the food supplies and had taken to the responsibility like a duck to water. He led a small army of women from Laketown and several other Dwarrow through the processes of preserving all the fresh produce – meat, fish, fruit or otherwise – in an unstoppable frenzy. The makeshift kitchen area he had had some of the Dwarrow stabilise was always buzzing with activity; from people preserving the fresh catches, to those that had been assigned breadmaking.  

Within a week everyone had been accounted for and the Gates had been sured up. Billa had found herself kept busy with the constant meetings that were being held with the Iron Hill Lords. As the Company were at a disadvantage in number, there was little else to do but acknowledge that they relied on the aid of the Dwarrow from the Iron Hills. An acknowledgement that was giving Billa migraines. The council meetings were held between the seven Lords, Dáin, Balin, Kíli and herself with Ori sitting in as scribe at Balin’s request. Each meeting was a battle to get anything through as several Lords would take turns road blocking all attempts Billa made at suggesting anything that would make surviving the Winter more bearable.  

“What in Yavanna’s good green earth is their problem!” she ranted, pacing back and forth across the recently cleaned rug one of the women had found and given her. She had decided to put it in the office she had cleaned herself that Balin, Kíli, Nori, Oín and she had used for privacy prior to the Battle. It now served as her office area as it was relatively close to the Healing Ward that had been renovated just up the corridor.  

“Well we already know Lord Durinar is opposed to you not having been punished for the pecieved stealing of the Arkenstone,” Nori rationalised. “He and Lord Eikin want nothing more than you to be labelled a traitor, their troops are also the ones that have been the most idle.” 

“Do they want us all to starve or freeze to death? Or catch some deadly disease?” she shouted, her eyes flashing with fury. “We have just survived a brutal battle, and many are still nursing injuries. If we do not act fast with us all living in such close proximity disease will be the death of us all.” 

“Oín is very annoyed that measures haven’t been taken to address hygiene,” Ori agreed from her place near the fire that one of the Lakemen had arranged in the fireplace that Billa had uncovered in her cleaning.  

“Lord Flóvin seems to agree to the plans to work on one of the larger Public Baths next since the Commons Kitchen has now been sorted and Bombur has moved his taskforce there, leaving the hall we’ve been using to now be used as accommodation. The Dining Halls next to the Kitchens are nearly finished as well. The Lakewomen have been cleaning it in a frenzy,” Kíli reported, “Bifur has been working with some of the Lakemen to fix the furniture that has been sourced from the unsecured parts of the city as well.” 

“Lord Nyr has been quite reasonable I suppose,” Kíli added. “He and Flóvin seem the most interested in seeing progress made.” 

“Lord Fràr concerns me,” Nori admitted, “I haven’t been able to get any solid information about him. Durinar, Eikin, Andvari, and Gráim all defer to him.” 

“Which is exactly what is infuriating me,” Billa seethed. “Lord Dáin allows his councillors to run amok and only at the last possible second overrules them. I understand he is your kin Kíli but what is his problem with me?” 

“Dáin has always been shrewd,” Balin said, walking into the room and shutting the door behind him. “I believe he is testing you Bilbo,” the Advisor said calmly. 

“Testing me?” Billa asked her voice cooling quickly as her eyes turned into green chips of ice.  

Balin winced at the look. “Yes. It is likely he is testing you to determine why it is that Thorin has chosen you to be his leading representative. Make no mistakes, Dáin knows that Kíli and I are mostly there to appease the Lords’ sensibilities. You proved your skills during the Accords negotiation.” 

“You mean he’s testing me to see where my loyalties lie,” she responded darkly. “I may enjoy playing in the shadows on occasion but when it comes to people’s lives it is not a game,” she seethed. “If Dáin has an issue with me, he needs to confront me about it. Beorn’s already confirmed that this snowstorm is going to be worse than we predicted. He is sure we will end up snowed in for a good six weeks and we do not have the rations prepared for that length of time yet. There are no excuses that justify delaying preparations further just to answer a Mahal damned question I am capable of answering and have answered with my blood, sweat, and damn tears!” Her volume had raised several notches until she was shouting again, her eyes alight with fury. “I will not sit idly in that Council Chamber debating with nonces’ about whether or not it would be in their best interest to help save fucking lives. I have gone through hell and back on this fucking Quest, I will not let anyone suffer if I can help it.” 

“Tha’s good t’ hear,” Dáin’s thick brogue piped up as the door – which Billa had thought locked by Balin – swung open. “It seems th’ ca’ is ou’ta bag innit,” he said conversationally as he walked into the room and shut the door with a slight bang. “But it also seems tha’ Thorin’s trust has no’ been misplaced. I was slightly worried he’d been hoodwinked into his decisions, bu’ I see now I was wrong.” 

Billa’s glare was furious, and it was only Kíli placing a hand on her shoulder that kept her from marching over to punch the red-haired Dwarrow. “I hope you are satisfied enough to stop putting people’s lives at risk!” she snapped, not caring that she was being rude and that her Father was likely rolling in his grave. Being rude to Thrainduil had been justified, this perhaps not so much.  

“Aye, I’m satisfied enough,” he answered with an amused smirk. “Ye’re a firey little lassie aren’t ye.” 

It took all of Billa’s willpower not to scream. Kíli’s hand shifted from her shoulder to the middle of her back in a reassuring touch that helped her to rationalise her anger. “Be that as it may,” she said somewhat more collected than before, “if you would please deal with the nuisances’ that are your council members during the next meeting I would be less inclined to want to remove their heads from their shoulders.” 

Dáin chortled startling Billa, and the rest of the room’s occupants. “Ah they mak’ me want’a do th’ same lassie,” he said in between chuckles. “They mak’ me want’a do th’ same.” 

“Excuse me for interrupting but – what in Mahal are you talking about?” Nori asked staring at the still chortling Dwarf Lord as if he’d gone mad.  

“Certainly, you don’t mean to say you have people on your council you do not like, my Lord?” Ori inquired further. 

“Ha! I’d rather string ‘em up ‘n my Halls by their traitorous beards than sit at a table wit’ ‘em!” he exclaimed.  

“Traitorous?” Balin echoed, white eyebrow raised to his distant cousin.  

“It migh’ be bette’ fo’ me t’ explain later, wit’ Thorin present,” Dáin said his expression turning serious. “There are things a foot tha’ are quite worrying, an’ it has everythin’ t’ do wit’ this Mountain.” 

Billa frowned, before her eyes darkened and she shot a look to Nori who met her eyes with the same concerned expression. “Binakhrâm'khî,” she breathed out, turning to observe Dáin who was staring at her suspiciously.  

“How d’ye kno’ tha’ name?” he demanded. 

“Dis sent a letter to me in Imladris alongside one for Thorin and the lads,” Billa answered, “it identified a new player in the Ered Luin Underworld who went by Binakhrâm'khî. It seems this Binakhrâm'khî is not just limited to Ered Luin,” she finished. 

“No, my informants in the Underground of the Iron Hills have been reporting disturbing news about a Binakhrâm'khî, many of these informants are found dead not long after. My Spymaster has been struggling to find anyone willing to part with any information.” 

Ears twitching, Billa glanced at the door. “I think it would be best to leave the conversation till a later time and a more secure location. I have a feeling it is not a smart idea to talk about this in the open,” she warned quietly, pointedly glancing at the door. It took the other’s a few seconds to understand her unspoken warning before Dáin spoke.  

“Aye ye might b’ right lass, I’ll speak t’ Thorin abou’ it later. He’s still recovering from tha’ cold and isn’t all tha’ socialable a’ th’ moment,” he said, his voice louder than necessary. Billa had silently approached the door before she dropped to the floor and using the light from the fire behind her she tried to discern any movement from underneath the door. The gap between the flagstones that made up the floor and the thick wooden door was miniscule, but it was enough to spot the flash of a Dwarvish made boot cap as it shifted away from the door and disappeared as Kíli answered Dáin’s comment. 

“That might be a good idea, Uncle gets awfully crabby when he’s sick,” the Dwarrow Prince said. “Oín would also chase you out if he spot’s you, and Mahal help you then.” After a few twitches of her sharp ears, Billa stood up, keeping her voice low as she spoke.  

“There was definitely someone on the other side of that door,” she said, “Dwarrow if the boots were to be believed. Whoever it was has a tread like Nori.” 

Nori’s eyes narrowed. “Then they would have to be trained. Dwarrow are heavy set by nature it is not easy to learn to walk without making any discernable noise,” he said darkly. “Not even Dwalin’s Guard’s can do it, and he’s been trying to teach them for years. They are worse than blind Oliphants sometimes.” 

“Do you suppose it was talk of this Binakhrâm'khî that had our listener interested?” Kíli asked, voice low.  

“Given the timing, I wouldn’t be surprised,” Billa said a concerned moue pulling at her lips. “Balin we need to secure somewhere to talk where we can ensure privacy.” 

“I’m not sure there is anywhere lass, if this person is a trained sneak,” he said worriedly.  

“How about the Healing Wing?” Ori suggested, drawing all eyes to her. She ducked her chin a little but began to explain, “well Thorin and Fíli are being kept in a private room as befitting their status, right? The only people allowed in there are the Company or Dáin and even then Oín is very territorial. Dwalin has been guarding that room on shift with Gloín and not to mention Dori is currently bedbound due to his leg injury. His cot was set up not too far from the room where Thorin and Fíli are since Oín is the one treating him as well. Wouldn’t it make sense to use their Healing room? If Dwalin or Gloín were standing guard nobody would dare try to approach, especially since it would be no different from normal. Dori could also keep an eye out for any suspicious behaviour.” 

“That – might actually work,” Billa said consideringly sending her adopted sister a proud smile. “It’s a brilliant idea akrâgnana’, simple but incredibly effective and without having to change anything overt.” 

“Well done mabahrûna-ê,” Balin said smiling at his pupil. “An excellent idea and one that will suit our needs perfectly. I will speak with Oín and we shall organise an appropriate time to discuss the matter.” 

“It might be best to keep this relatively quiet then,” Kíli said thoughtfully, drawing the attention of the room. “The Company needs to know what is going on, but I think it would be best to keep the actual details as vague as we can until we know more.” 

“No’ a bad idea laddie,” Dáin agreed. “I will keep it t’ meself fo’ th’ moment as well, I would limit th’ full details to those tha’re in this room until we hav’ th’ chance t’ talk wit’ Thorin.” 

“We’d best return to our duties,” Billa commented checking her father’s pocketwatch that had managed to survive the quest. “I would like to get down to speak with Turid about our current blanket shortage. She and Sylvie were going to try and find some in the upper levels with a few of Lord Nyr’s soldiers offering to help them. I’m fairly certain Bofur went with them since he’s one of the only Dwarrow to have checked the upper levels beyond the gate.” 

“Bofur knows which parts of the mountain are safe, he is a very talented miner afterall,” Balin agreed. “I will go and speak with Oín, Dáin you should come with me,” he added after a moment’s thought. 

“I’m going to see if I can find out any information on our fellow shadow,” Nori said darkly causing Billa to frown. 

“Don’t get reckless because your angry you didn’t notice before,” she admonished. “I do not need to be stitching you up because you got into a scuffle.” 

“I’ll be careful,” he responded testily.  

“Good,” Billa responded, meeting his glare calmly.  

“I might stay here for a little while, I have a few things to sure up in my notes from this morning’s council session,” Ori informed, “then I will go and sit with Dori for a bit.” 

“Keep a dagger on you,” Nori said gruffly, “I’d honestly prefer if you stayed with Billa or went straight to the healing Hall with Balin.” 

Ori gave her brother a long challenging look. “I know you would,” she said, before shifting her soft knitted cardigan to reveal the dagger Billa had given her back before they had even reached Imladris belted around her waist. “I have the one you gave me on my person as well,” she informed, “not to mention the fact that I have the same strength capabilities as Dori, and Dwalin has spent a good deal of this trip seeing to my lack of weapons training.” The rather pointed reminder that Ori was no longer as innocent or naïve as she had been at the beginning of their journey tugged at Billa’s heart. But it was very quickly replaced by immense pride in the strong young Dwarrowdam, Ori was blossoming into. It seemed that Nori had been thinking similarly as he raised an eyebrow elegantly in surprise before a proud smirk pulled at his lips.  

“At least I know what to get you for your birthday now,” he commented drily, “I was at a loss since it won’t be more ink bottles now you have that self inking quill.” The Thief shared a silent conversation with his younger sister, before nodding and making for the door. “I’ll update you later Bil if I find anything,” he called over his shoulder before he exited.  

“We should get going too, we will see you at Supper” Balin agreed, leading Dáin out of the room. Billa looked between Ori and Kíli before making her way to pick up her wolf-fur coat and put it on.  

“I suppose I should go and find Turid,” she said, checking over her own hidden weapons and missing the questioning look Ori sent at the silent Prince; who had been fidgeting slightly before he sent the Scribe a scowl. 

“Mind if I join you Billa?” he asked, meeting the hobbit-lass’ surprised green eyes with a nervous smile.  

“If you would like?” she answered confused. “I’m just following up with some of the women who have been in charge of ‘home-making’. If it is going to get as cold as Beorn says it will, we will need to have enough blankets, and clothing to keep warm. The Forges’ heat only goes so far and stone likes to hold the chill.” 

“I think I will be more useful to you than harassing any of the others, I’m not exactly talented in carpentry or stone masonry after all. I can use a forge though so if the women need pitchers or crockery made, I’m sure there is enough spare materials I can use. I might be a jewler by Craft, but I know my way around a blacksmith’s forge. Have since I was a pebble. Thorin might be a King now but his Craft will always be in Ironwork; you can take him out of the forge but you can’t take the forge out of him,” Kíli responded rambling slightly.  

“Kíli, you’re barely three weeks into healing from a broken collarbone,” she said with an amused smile. 

The Prince blushed and looked down bashfully, fiddling with his sling. “That doesn’t mean I can’t talk with the women and see what type of things they might need,” he responded slightly defensively.  

Billa couldn’t help the fond smile that pulled at her lips. “I suppose that is true, you might have a few weeks to go before your shoulder heals but that doesn’t mean you can’t make preparations for when it does,” she agreed somewhat indulgently. She found the defensive stance quite cute – and that was dangerous territory, she thought stopping that line of thought before it could run away from her. She was not ready to acknowledge that kind of thinking.  

“Well I suppose you two should head off then,” Ori said an amused smirk on her lips. Billa’s eyes narrowed on her akrâgnana’ but she didn’t say anything. “You wouldn’t want to miss the Lakewomen returning from their search.” 

“No, we wouldn’t,” Billa agreed, her eyes promising a later interrogation of the dam. “Come along Kíli we will have quite a bit to do before Supper I think.” 

Billa pointedly ignored her adoptive sister’s giggling as she led the puppy-like enthused Prince from the room.