After a long period of trading riddles, Gollum had enough. He tried assaulting the hobbit, but luckily for Bilbo, he missed. Bilbo then put the ring on his finger in a nervous fiddle, and suddenly, he was gone.

Gollum panicked & yelled at the hobbit to appear again. But the hobbit was nowhere to be seen. Albeit very shocked, Bilbo understood that he had to kept the ring on his finger so that the vile creature wouldn't see him.

After stumbling & searching for a way out, he saw a light shining from the end of a long tunnel. He ran & ran, with Gollum at his heels. His stumbling caused a ruckus, which in turn had Gollum notice where he was.

Bilbo stopped short of running out of the tunnel, but stopped himself when he heard several footsteps.

The hobbit watched as the dwarves and the human girl race past him. He opened his mouth to call out, but stopped himself. First of all Gollum was right in between the exit & himself, Gollum was hiding behind a rock to be unseen by the incoming people. Bilbo was invisible and he couldn't afford to let Gollum see him. So Bilbo collected himself and watched his friends run past him, and out of the goblin tunnels.

Bilbo drew out his sword but when he saw the sorrow and despair in Gollums eyes, he sighed to himself and lowered his sword from Gollums throat.

He couldn't kill Gollum, if he did he knew he would be haunted by his actions for the rest of his life. The creature may have tried to kill him, but it wasn’t evil. All it wanted was his Precious. The ring.

Bilbo crossed his fingers and took a deep breath, then he ran forward and leapt over Gollum, accidentally kicking him in the head, with his foot.

Bilbo ran to the day light, and Gollums voice cried out with rage behind him.

”Curse Bagginses! We hates it forever!”

Eventually the company came to a halt just as they had passed seceral large trees, clapping on eachothers shoulders in disbelief.

”So you're just going to leave Bilbo behind?” Valerie asked aloud, before anyone could reply Thorin did.

”Master Baggins saw his chance and he took it. He had thought of nothing but his soft bed and his warm hearth since he stepped out of his door.” Thorin eyed the girl, who narrowed her eyes. A part of her was about to hit him, but she stopped herself from doing it.

”It’s no different than you thinking about nothing then Erebor.” Valerie snapped and eyed Thorin, who know she're still mad at him. He understand why, and knew he had been too harsh on her.

”We will not be seeing our hobbit again. He is long gone.” Thorin looked at everyone, noone replied.

”No he isn’t.” Everyone turned around in suprise, as Bilbo himself appered out from nowhere.

”Why did you come back?” Bilbo looked at Thorin, who walked up to him.

”Look, I know you doubt me, I know you always have." Bilbo smiled. "You’re right, I often think of Bagend. I miss my books, my garden and my armchair.” Bilbo honestly spoke, ”That’s where I belong. That’s home, and that’s why I come back, because you dont have one - a home. It was taken from you, but I will help you get it back if I can.”

Bilbo smiled after his speech, and the dwarves and the human girl where happy to see him back.

”Thank you Valerie, for everything you've done for me.” Bilbo smiled and he walked to her and gived the girl a tight hug. The assassin was suprised, but felt a smile on her face when she hugged him back.

Thorin lowered his head slightly, as he was ashamed for how harsh he had been to the hobbit.

Something was heard from the woods, a loud howl come from the direction the company just had come from. The blood of everyone froze.

”Out of the frying pan.” Thorin muttered, ”And into the fire." Fili looked at his uncle, "Run!” Thorin yelled.

As the daylight slowly was about to fade the company turned and ran into the woods, behind them the pack of orcs grew closer.

The company ran & ran, as quickly as they could. Bilbo's sword, Sting, was glowing ever brighter. Orcs were approaching, and fast.

Thorin was leading his company at the front, constantly waving with his sword in hand for everyone to quicken their pace. He looked at Bilbo, time & time again, as he could see the sword glowing brighter. Valerie ran with swift steps through the branches & the trees, keeping a steady pace with Bilbo as to make sure the young hobbit didn't trip or fall behind. As they ran beside eachother, Bilbo turned his head a little to look at Valerie, keeping herself at his pace. He smiled, knowing that she could & would defend him if danger came their way. He smiled with the knowledge of her actually caring for him.

A loud growl could be heard & then something resembling a howl. Orcish shouting was growing ever closer. They were gaining on the group. As Thorin lead the group, he started to see mountaintops, stretching far away. There seemed to be an exit to the enormous barrier of leaves & trees. Then, the dwarf king-to-be halted, sliding a good few feet before stopping in his sprint. He looked to the mountains in shock. There was no path, no road. There was only a dead drop, hundreds of feet down. They had arrived at a cliff.

Thorin looked to his left & to his right, there were no way to go around, there was just a sheer drop into nothingness. The rest of the group came to a halt too, everyone suddenly realizing the situation they were in. Panic struck, the dwarves started to fumble around in disorder.

"Ready yourselves!" Thorin suddenly shouted. His companions then suddenly all snapped, and they turned their backs to the cliffside, facing the direction from which the orcs were coming. None were armed but Thorin, Valerie & Bilbo. Thorin realized that it was his responsibility now to keep them all safe.

Valerie pulled Bilbo behind her, pulling dual blades from her sides. Thorin stepped up in front of her, shielding her too. "If all else fails, protect them, Valerie." He said, with words that tore at the girl with finality.

Loud, monstrous barking was heard & trampling wargs appeared out of the forest edge. Several large orcs were riding them, and one of them had a hook for a hand. It was the pale orc. It was Azog - the defiler.

Thorin stepped forward, his face contorting with a furious glare. The rage was swelling inside him. It was not only regular orcs that had been chasing Thorin & his friends, it was the very same one that took the head of his father. Valerie saw how Thorin changed his posture, how he lost his fright & how his fists clenched around his blade. A cracking of knuckles could be heard, as his grip got stronger with his anger.

"Oakenshield." The pale orc said with a menacing, hispy voice, grinning as he realized his hour of victory. Finally, he would end the line of Durin.

Posted here, so Kaffe could continue/complete his post.

But Thorin charged forward, disregarding his own safety, his sword raised high in the sky. A warg-riding orc charged the king, the monster lunging for Thorin with a ferocious bite. Thorin threw himself onto his back as it jumped at him, gliding under it & pushing his blade up into it's stomach. The warg howled in agony and fell to the ground with a thump. The orc rider was trapped under the warg, and as he tried to get free, Thorin walked up to the fallen orc & raised his blade to cut the mishapen being by the throat. However, he did not realize he had turned his back to the other pack, and as he readied himself to finish off the wounded orc, a pain struck his shoulder. He was thrown to the side in a violent shaking manner.

As he rolled away after being thrown, another warg stepped on him, holding him down, his face looking up to the sky. It was Azog's warg, now paralyzing the dwarf king from moving.

The dwarven company shouted out in shock & they were ready to charge for their king. But Thorin, being the leader he was, turned his face sideways & put out his hand to them, signing for them to stop. As he did, several other wargs gathered, ganging up on the dwarven company that still stood at the edge of the cliff. If they attacked now, everyone would get massacred.

Valerie looked at Thorin with suspicious eyes, and was about to slip away into the shadows, as to use her techniques to ambush the pale orc leader while he was occupied with Thorin. But she had no time, as Azog was seconds from finishing the life of Thorin Oakenshield.

Then, Bilbo, with a sudden surge of adrenaline, backed away so he was the one furthest back in the company, put his golden ring on his finger and slipped into the shadows. He could not stand looking at one of his friends getting killed while defending him. He would not have it, he would not be a coward.

A terrible howl was heard, as the Warg that was slowly crushing Thorin, jerked away in a surprising manner. It limped just a few feet away as it died away in silence. Azog rose up from falling with his warg, and swung his arm around as he felt something behind him. It was Bilbo, and as he was hit from the swirling orc, he flew several meters away. The ring, seemingly having a will of it's own, slipped off his finger & landed on a small, grassy spot. Bilbo appeared out of the shadows, and Azog readied himself to finish the young Hobbit.

Thorin, laying on the ground, almost paralyzed by the pain of having his chest pressed so hard by the warg, couldn't get up to save his friend. Valerie realized that Bilbo was now far infront of her & not behind her, which made her gasp out in shock. There was no time, but she started sprinting, darting for the pale orc & aiming at his neck.

A loud crash was heard & the scrambling of metal & breaking of trees could made out of the noise. The orcs, dwarves, wargs & Valerie reacted by all turning their heads to a clearing in the forest. A huge being of shiny metal rose from the crashed area, and as it rose, a chorus of eaglecries could be heard. From behind the dwarves, there flew in several gigantic eagles, opening their talons as to catch their prey. Three wargs & their riders were instantly picked up by the giant birds and thrown over the cliffside. The orcs started panicking & Azog looked around in a terrified shock.

One of the orcriders was so distracted by the incoming eagles, he had no time realizing the gigantic man of metal approaching quickly, with steps almost shaking the earth itself. At the last moment, the orc turned his head to the forest opening. The orcs eyes wandered upwards, suddenly realizing that an enormous blade was coming straight down onto him. A horrible concoction of orcish screams & squirting blood could be heard, as Bilbo & the dwarves had to look away from the giant sword, cleaving the warg & orc in half in one fell swing.

To the left & right, orcs & their wargs were fleeing in terror. Azog grabbed one warg & threw off the rider, fleeing with his pack.

Along with whimpering & howling & frightened orcish screams, Azog roared in anger at Thorin & his company as he rode away. "You will die, Oakenshield!"

The horror in the orcs and wargs eyes was seen from a far distance when the knight had appeared with the large build figure he has. And the sword, which was the same size as a normal human begin.

If it wasn't for him, they would all end up dead. Then high up in the night sky, there were eagles. Who flew and took the orcs and wargs, and they dropped them off the cliff.

Bilbo could see that the old wizard was riding on one of the eagles, and he had someone with him. But Bilbo or no one could see the details of who it was from the distance, only they could see Gandalf hat by the moonlight hitting upon him from the large bird.

Valerie watched with eyes wide when Rash had appeared. She was happy to see him, and with a blink of an eye, the man had already killed a few of the Wargs, and orc riders. ”Rash,” She breathed in relief, then her attention was back on an orc, who attacked her. She swung her two swords like an X, up to the orc's neck, the blades sliced the orc head off its body. The head fell to the ground, and she kicked the headless body away.

The next orc was behind her, and ready to stab her with a grin on its face, with the sword it holds in its hand. She grinned while turning around and jumping up behind it, so she sat on its shoulders, and swung her legs around its neck, making it hard for it to breathe. She holds her sword up high and struck the blade down in the head of the orc. It looked crossed-eyed and fell to the ground and Valerie land on her feet.

Blood was spilled everywhere, but the orcs were running for their lives away from the massive man, who and appeared with a god-like introduction.

As Azog took off with rage, as he called out that he won't give up to kill Thorin. His pack disappeared into the darkness, and the Eagles picked up the left dwarves who was on the edge of the cliff.

Bilbo had found the ring again from the dirty ground, he placed it back in the pocket of his jacket. He looked at Valerie. ”Bilbo! Get on an eagle, now!” She shouted from the distance, and the hobbit got one of the large bird's attention. Which landed on the ground for him to run upon its spine.

Valerie ran to where Thorin laid by the rocks. Weak he was as he watched her run to him, the deep injure from his shoulder and down his arm from the warg, who had bitten him. The assassin glanced up to the night sky, as she saw a large eagle incoming to the ground for them. ”Valerie.” Thorin coughed as he weakly tried to speak. The girl looked at him before he could reply, she pulled him up to his feet with one of his arms around her shoulders.

”Save your speech when you’re healed.” She walked with Thorin up to the eagle, who's waiting for the two. She helped the dwarf-king to laid on the back of the eagle's spine. Everyone else was now safe on each of the eagle's backs. She jumped up and the eagle could carry the two.

The eagle had left the ground and flew in the night sky with the others. ”Is everyone unhurt?” Bofur asked and got nods as replies, then their eyes lend to where Thorin and Valerie were from the distance. Gandalf was quiet and had Lilian by his side, the dwarves were worried if Thorin was alright, but the wizard knew he would be fine.

”I should never have said you do not know of loyalty.” Thorin spoke, he is still very weak. Valerie looked at him and shook her head as he continued. ”I am sorry, can you forgive me?” She saw that he held great regret, and he was angry at himself. He felt just as broken as she did herself. And she could feel that he did actually care about her at this moment, for the first time.

Valerie was still upset about the things he had said, but after what had happened here and seeing him almost die by Azogs command she could actually accept his apology.

”Rest now." She nods, "I will give you an answer with time.” She spoke and saw he was drifting away.

The journey with the eagles was not very long. Because of the eagles size & speed, the company was arriving to a large grassy plain that was part of a large landscape. The dwarven brethren looked in awe at the horizon, as one could see the misty mountains in plain sight, far away.

The eagles landed on the plains with soft flaps of their wings. The company jumped off, & Rash jumped off his eagle first. He then made his way over to the other eagle carrying Valerie & Thorin. As he walked up to them, Valerie looked down on Rash & their eyes locked for a moment. Rash, being the towering man he was, just gently reached for Valerie & picked her up by the hips like a baby, then set her on the ground. Then he gently lifted Thorin, who was still sleeping from his fainting earlier. He then carried the dwarf king to a soft spot on the ground, placing a round bag under his head to act as a supportive pillow.

Gandalf had gone down from his eagle & the other girl, Lilian, was quick to follow. However, as she jumped off from the gigantic eagle, she fell with her face first against the ground. As she was about to crash, the eagle swooped down one of it's wings to catch her. She landed with her chest & face full of feathers. As the eagle slowly lifted it's wing to help Lilian stand on her own, the girl remembered all she had heard about eagles. Being the majestic beings they are, they were not really just eagles. They were spirits, akin to Gandalf, Saruman & the likes of dragons.

Lilian looked to the head of the eagle, and her eyes were caught by it's. The eagles expression was that of understanding, acceptance & wisdom all at the same time. She felt at home with this being, and she unknowingly hugged it's wing tight.

Bilbo, who hadn't seen this girl before, walked up to her, standing by the eagles wing. "I see you like the eagles. Heh." The young hobbit chuckled abit, understanding the girls fondness of the animal spirit. Lilian opened her eyes & realized she was hugging a portion of the wing of the eagle. She instantly blushed & brought her hands behind her hips.

Bilbo smiled as he almost laughed a little. "I'm sorry, i didn't mean for you to stop hugging it. I don't think he objects." As he spoke, he looked at the eagle, which was focusing it's gaze on Gandalf, standing before it. The old wizard was conversing with the bird in some way, whispering in some very foreign language. He had his hand on it's beak as he did so, and the eagle seemed to enjoy this manner of handling.

As all the dwarves had collected on the ground, most of the eagles started leaving as Gandalf was conversing with his, which actually seemed to be the biggest one.

"Leader of the local eagle group, i assume." Balin said, standing next to Kili & Fili. The dwarves nodded in agreement.

When the group had landed and the eagles was soon about to leave. Rash had been the one who first walked up to the eagle, where Valerie was on with Thorin. She locked her eyes with him, then he grabbed her by her hips and carried her down.

Lilian saw the closeness of the Knight and the blonde woman, and she couldn't help but feel an amount of jealousy seeing him close with another lady.

Gandalf had walked up to where Thorin was lying on the ground, and he moved his hand over his face and whispered something in another tongue. When he took his hand away from Thorin, the dwarf open his eyes, and slowly looked up at the wizard.

”The halfling?” Thorin asked, ”It’s alright, Bilbo is quite safe.” Gandalf smiled, Thorin slowly got up on his feet and his eyes were lend on him, when he walked up to Bilbo.

”You!” He shouted out, ”What were you doing? You nearly got yourself killed! Didn't I say you would be a burden? That you would not survive in the wild, that you had no place amongst us? ” Thorin states in anger.

Bilbo looked down to the ground, and then up when again when he saw Thorin’s facial expressions had changed, from stern to calm and relieved. ”I have never been so wrong, in all my life.” Thorin hugged Bilbo, ”I am sorry, I doubted you.”

Bilbo smiled at him and nods. ”No. I would have doubted myself too. I’m not a hero, nor a warrior or an assassin. Not even a burglar.” Bilbo chuckled sheepishly and Thorin smiled.

Their eyes then lend on the mountain far in the distance, they were close to Erebor.

The group slowly moved away and faced yet another green forest. They had come to Beorn's Hall. This time something was lingering behind them between in the trees. Gandalf knew who it was, so he told them all to go faster he could hear the creature's footsteps coming closer to them.

A loud roar was heard from the trees and bushes, the dwarves began to run. Rash ran beside Gandalf and followed the dwarves. The roaring creature ran out to the path they ran on. Their eyes were wide when they faced the large black bear. Who's chasing them. Gandalf told everyone to run into the house, which was not far away from the path. The wizard knew this bear was actually no harm to them, but they need to take shelter if they didn't want to be torn apart.

Bilbo was right by Valerie's side, and she would protect him if anything happens. She holds the arrow on the string of the bow, ready to let the arrow left her fingers if the bear would come closer. The group ran into the farmyard, while Thorin, Dawlin, Fili, and Kili closed the large door, just in time when the growling bear hit his nose in the door, which the dwarves slammed shut and locked it.

The wizard felt sorry for the man, who was his friend and in his bear form. He knew Beorn was good, and the one who owns this place. He also knows that he didn't particularly like dwarves. They could after all stay here over the day and rest until they will leave again in the morning.

Gandalf looked outside of the window, he saw Beorn who's circling around the yard. They needed to wait until he had moved away, and shift back to his normal form. One hour had passed and there was the food they could eat and drink on the dining table. Everything was much bigger, it's like a giant lives here. The table was huge and so were the chairs around the dining table.

The hour passed by and everyone was resting until it was night and the dinner ready. ”Is it alright if I take a walk?” Valerie took Gandalf's side, she needed air; the fight with Thorin in the cave, the kiss with Kili, and Thorin's confession to her earlier that day to take care of his Kin if he was to die; it had been a bit too much on her, so she needed to clear her mind from everything. As long as Gandalf had known Valerie he had never seen her this conflicted before. He wondered if something had happened. ”If you most, my dear.” He said and opened the door, she nods her thanks to him and walked out of the house, and left the farm.

She walked the long gravel path, which was lined with trees and a lake on the other side. It was a distance from the farm, the animals, and she had been walking for a few minutes. The lake beside the path, was beautiful when the sun hit the clear water. Valerie knew that the She-elf who was walking behind her. She glanced back at her but continued to walk her way. Still with the half-elf still following her in silence and admiring the environment. Valerie then walked down to the lake and bowed down on one of her knees. She and reached her hand out and touched the clear water, which was warm from the sun.

Valerie then glanced over at the woman again, who slowly made her way over to her. "You are far from home?" Valerie asked, and eyed the dark raven-haired woman. "Yes, from Rivendel." The two women got time to clean themselves in the water of the lake, and they took their time until the sun was almost setting down, there were a few roars from the orcs but they would cross the borders of the farm, and the lands that belong to Beron. "Have you known the dwarves long?" The she-elf asked breaking the silence between the two, Valerie warmed up and smiled at the elf, "Yeah, you can say that, it's complicated." She was still troubled with all the events that had happened, her feelings were everywhere, her feelings for both Kili and Thorin were nagging at her. Like a shadow that grew larger behind her.

At that moment, Lilian thought for a second about Valerie's response. She made a suddenly snarky look with her face, and let loose her garb. Before Valerie could react properly, the elven maid was now suddenly naked. Valerie didn't look away, but was struck by how beautiful the elf was. As the naked elf stood in the moonlight, she looked at Valerie with deery eyes & made a warm smile, threw her long hair to the side & stepped silently into the water.

Valerie wouldn't have it. If that elf could be so confident in herself that she could stand openly naked infront of people like that, so could Valerie.

Back at the large farm, the dwarves seemed restless & worried. Kili especially. "Maybe we shouldn't have let the girls wander out alone. Is the bearman really trustworthy?" He said with a voice that was deep in worry.

Gandalf, whom sat at a chair next to the dinner table, switched his eyes to Kili. "He's a friend and we are in his house. Had he wanted to kill us, then he'd have done it by now. Besides, i've said nothing about him disliking elves & humans. Only dwarves." The old wizard winked with one of his eyes at Kili, smirking as he spoke.

Balin then weighed in, "Well that certainly sounds reassuring!" The old dwarf said, making an exaggerated face. All the dwarves snickered & laughed. They all trusted Gandalf's words.

"But we have Rash, don't we? He can split wargs in half & terrify even the mightiest of orcs. Surely that must count for something?" Bilbo let his thought's out aloud.

Then, all the dwarves nodded in response & Gandalf smiled a little.

Bilbo then realized something. "Speaking of Rash, where is he? I didn't see him come in with us when we ran...Oh no!" The young hobbit exclaimed, now deeply worried.

Gandalf then had to keep himself from laughing. "Bilbo, my young hobbit, your worry does you a disservice. Rash stayed outside with Beorn & has probably been helping him calm down. They both know eachother since a very long time. And even if it came to, i don't believe one would triumph over the other. If they were fighting, they would still be at it & probably til' they grow too old and have trouble standing. But since there has been a lack of ruckus ever since we entered the house, i would bet that they've just gone for a stroll."

The wizard then leaned back in his chair, smiling, looking like he was satisfied with his own explanation.

Lilian had seen the scars on Val's back, she understood that Valerie had seen terror and a past that haunts her. "The scars, they look deep. most have been healed by someone we both know." Lilian was reading Valerie's mind. She nodded, "yes, they are healed by Lord Elrond. I was once tortured by a mad king, or a mad lord. From the race of men, he also murdered what was left of my family, and took me hostage.” Valerie spoke freely of her past, she felt Lilian's eyes on her with shock. ”I am so sorry, this world won't let women go unharmed.” She reassured, and it was true, Women among the race of men were mostly treated with violence, compared to other races where women were treated with love and compassion.

"Why did you join this journey?" Valerie asked while the two walked beside each other, they were clean from the grim and dirt, and now walking on the path their way back to the farm. The she-elf felt a bit embarrassed to say out loud, that she joined just because she wanted to learn more about the Knight, but also that she wanted to see the world outside of Rivendell. Was that even a reason to join? "Well, I have never set my foot outside of Rivendell. So I asked to join and Gandalf and Rash both let me." Lilian smiled, her way when she spoke the Knights name made her blush, Val picked that up.

"Love brought you here, then?" Val smiled at the elf, who blushed and shook her head, "Oh, no I am not sure if love is the right way to put it." Valerie laughed at that and knew it was. "Its nothing wrong with it. I didn't dare think about love when I signed the contract to join this quest." Valerie said, and Lilian looked at her. "Why? Love is pure and precious, don't shy away from it." The she-elf said, and Valerie was still conflicted. "But you can't love two different people at the same time, can you?" She was torn, a part of her didn't want to have these feelings for these two dwarves,

Lillian understood what Val meant, that on the other hand was indeed difficult. "Do both of them make you feel happy?" Lilian had a point they both made Val feel different. "One of them makes me feel like I am not so bad after all, sees the good in me and always supporting me and by my side. Then the other makes me feel like I am alive: I can yell out at him, laugh with him, pull out my heart to him, it's complicated as I said." Valerie sighed and looked at Lilian, who actually knew what Valerie felt. "That is love."

The two pushed the door too open and inside the house was the wizard, the hobbit, and 13 dwarves. Who already was eating and drinking by the large table. They looked like kids who sat in front of the massive table, eat from the large bowls and plates of food. Their eyes lend on the two who had just arrived and silence fell upon them.

Valerie and Lilian felt the silnce. "Oh, please. Go back to what you were doing don't be polite around us." Valerie waved a hand, and the men got back to their chatting and much calmer than they had been before.

Valerie took Lilian by the hand and the two walked to another empty table, so they could eat together. The table where the dwarves were sitting around was already full. They needed to take some distance from the dwarves of men.

Kili watched from the other side of the room as Valerie grabbed Lilian by the hand & walked to a private table with her. A part of Kili made him feel odd as he looked at the pair of girls. He realized that it hadn't been very long, yet, the two already seemed to get along. Almost too much, Kili thought.

The rest of the company didn't bother the girls as all of them were very tired & hungry. They ate their food while talking silently to one another.

Bilbo, however, was curious to know where the girls had gone & couldn't help but wander up to Valerie's side. As a hobbit, Bilbo was almost so short that he didn't reach the table and one could see his eyes just above the table end. He looked at Lilian with questioning eyes.

Before he had the chance to ask her, she was the quicker one.

"What is a mere child such as you doing on a grand adventure such as this?" Lilian asked, making a concerned face.

Valerie smirked a little before Bilbo replied.

"Ah but i am no child, milady. I'm a hobbit of the shire. Never heard of it i assume? Well let me tell you.." The young hobbit started explaining, but interrupted himself as he saw how the elf girl was snickering.

Valerie winked her eyebrows in a joking manner & looked at Bilbo.

"Ofcourse you know that. You were only joking, i see." Bilbo said, putting his hands on his hips & made a grimace.

"And i see you can't possibly be an elf, since elves have a thing called manners, which you're also clearly lacking." He continued as he now smiled a little while looking at Lilian.

The elf girl dropped the potato which she was gnawing on & almost glared at the hobbit. Then, started laughing again, as both Valerie & Bilbo joined in.

As the trio laughed, they drew the dwarves attention from the other table across the room.

Valerie and Lilian begun to eat the served food on their table. ”Well you need to tell me who it’s.” Lilian whispered to Valerie.

”I dont know what you're talking about.” Valerie bluntly spoke, while she took a sip from her wine. The elf knew that the assassin was trying to move on to another conversation. So she didn't stop, not yet. ”You know, the one who sets your heart and mind on fire.” Lilian giggled and nagged Valerie in her side with her elbow. Her eyes lend on the dwarves. ”Is it him?” She asked, Valerie, looked behind her and followed where Lilian's eyes went. Seeing she looked at Bombur, that made Valerie almost spit out the drink of milk.

"I don't want to talk about this, she-elf." Valerie gave Lilian another harder glare. but the elf giggled, and even Bilbo was laughing at that one, he shook his head and wiped a tear from the corner of his eyes, Valerie glared at him too.

"Bilbo, I thought you were on my side here." Valerie showed her disappointment in the halfling, while the halfling and the elf both giggled. "Sorry Valerie, but you have been off the whole day, ever since we left that cave." The hobbit smiled at her, and rest a hand on her shoulder. She knew he meant nothing with it, nor did Lilian.

Lilian moved closer to her ear, "then who is it? I am sorry for being pushy, but I can see it troubles you." She said, "Is it the leader?" Now Valerie glared even harder at the elf, "Be quiet, and maybe I will tell you if you stop asking." Valerie would in time tell, but for now, she just wanted to take it easy for the night and respect the company who were all tired from the running and the events of Azog and his forces who indeed still were after them.

As night grew into morning, the farmhouse was quiet. All the dwarves were asleep & the girls had fallen asleep under the dinner table. Then, after the sun had pierced the windows, Bilbo woke up, but not because of the sun. He could hear steps, large ones. He made out two individuals, about the same size & weight as the farmhouse was shaking abit from every step. He kept still, however, and acted as if he was sleeping.

The steps came closer, and then suddenly, a large crash could be heard, as a foot came down just a few feet from Bilbo. All the dwarves jumped from their sleeping positions & everyone scrambled to the walls, putting their fists up in defense. Thorin was the first to grab his sword & point it at the individual who had woken them.

Lilian, who was laying besides Valerie under the table, rose to her feet quickly, but didn't notice the table & hit her head hard. Valerie observed her as she had awoken too, and she snickered for a moment as Lilian looked pretty humorous holding her head, spouting "Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!"

There he stood, a giant man with hair covering his entire body. He had a peculiar beard & his nose was ridged, making him look like something else than human.

"Lower your weapons & fists, my friends. He just came to wake you." A particularly recognizable voice could be heard. It was deep & loud, and two steps could be heard, that were as loud or even louder than the hairy man's.

"Rash!" Bilbo shouted as he jumped up from the floor & ran to the giant knight, standing in the doorway. The young hobbit suddenly felt happy & giddy as he reached for a hug. Rash kneeled & hugged the hobbit back.

Gandalf approached from behind Rash, also entering the house. "Ah, i can see that you've already been introduced. Now, my friends, this is Beorn. Beorn, these are the company of Thorin Oakenshield." The old wizard pointed to Beorn & then to the dwarves, now relaxing themselves from realizing Beorn was not hostile.

Beorn looked to the left & right, observing the dwarves that were littered across his floor. "Dwarves..." He muttered to himself, before walking into the kitchen & readying plates & foodstuffs. Balin turned his head to Gandalf with a questioning expression. Gandalf replied by shrugging his shoulders.

Rash looked around the room, making individual eyecontact with everyone. Then, something peculiar could be seen in the corner of his eyes. He looked to a large dinner table & under it, he could see two separate sets of hair facing him. One of blonde hair & one of black. Then, he made out two faces, facing eachother with only a foot of length between them. He smiled & felt a strange feeling as he stared at them for a moment. Then, both faces looked upwards & caught the eyes of Rash.

Beorn had served the food, on to the two large dining tables. He got some help by Rash who placed the two tables together, so everyone could gather and eat breakfast together.

Lilian, Valerie, Bilbo, Balin sat together alongside the table, across them was Beorn, Gandalf, Rash, and Thorin - the rest of the dwarves, sitting and eating breakfast all having a nice morning.

Noone saw but, Valerie moved her knee to Kili's under the table. Which made him look at her, and she shyly smiled at him. He rests his hand on her thigh and the two locked their eyes for a moment before they returned their attention again to the breakfast.

Lilian didn't take much of notice, she was too busy to eat, while she let her mind drift away to the food.

Beorn then told Gandalf and Thorin, they will borrow his ponies to ride to the Mirkwood. He also told them the forest is sick, darkness leys upon it. But Gandalf knew and told that there is a way to get through it, only to follow a path that will lead them to safety.

The ponies shall not enter the forest, the company will release them, when they are at the forest. That's the deal.

"And there is something else I want to say," Beorn spoke aloud, and eyes lend on him. "I only have 16 ponies. Two of you have shared a pony to ride on." He said Lilian was the first to act. "That's alright. Valerie and I can share that pony!" She smiled, and Beorn nods his head. Valerie turned her eyes at the elf. "We will?" She asked, Lilian, turned her eyes to her and lowered her hand again. "Yes, we will." Lilian smiles.

Rash sat at the short side of the table, using a fine stone-like mass to clean his large sword. He still had his armor on, ready to leave to go fighting. Lilian felt curious about Rash, as he wasn't eating anything. She sat next to Valerie, and a few feet away from Rash, as he kept cleaning his blade with precision.

Bilbo sat at the left hand side of the knight and he also sneaked a peek at the man. He looked at the large, almost silver colored blade. There was a gold engraving growing out of the hilt, inscribed along the base of the blade.

"Not hungry, Rash?" The hobbit asked, his mouth full of food. The knight switched his eyes just for a second to look at Bilbo, then back to his blade. Then he smiled a little, making a small two-way turn with his head.

Bilbo looked down on his food & then at Rash again, then he nodded in acceptance & kept eating.

Balin, who sat at the other end of the table, interrupted his eating to look at the sword, glimmering when coming into contact with the sunlight shooting in from the windows. "What's 'er name, ser knight?" The old dwarf smiled a little as he asked.

Rash lifted his sword a little, sliding two fingers across the base of the blade, along the golden etching. "Her name is Akandir, and she's served me well ever since i took to arms." The knight smiled a little while holding his sword proudly over his lap.

"Akandir - The Howling Blade of the Wolf Knight.." Thorin uttered, seemingly in disbelief as he had paused his eating. Rash nodded slowly, as he looked at Thorin.

"But that's not possible!" Thorin shouted out, seemingly disturbed. "Where did you find that blade? In his grave that you robbed?" Thorin had suddenly become very irritated, sneering as he spoke. In reply, Rash only smiled as if he was humored.

Gandalf, who was looking out of a large window in the farmhouse, gazing at the sunlight stretching over the forest, then turned his head slowly to look behind him at the dinner table.

"He is the wolf knight, Thorin." The old wizard started, "I've been in middle-earth for how many ages? About 300 lives of men. Growing very old is not impossible, my friend."

Thorin then changed his sneering face into that of wonder & a small fraction of a grin started to grow on his face. Balin, who sat next to Thorin, then also started grinning as he saw his king finally smile a little. Balin hadn't seen a grin on the young king's face since that boy was a small boy. The other dwarves now also started to grin in excitement as some of them also knew about the legend, but also because they could see their leader giddy out of excitement.

"So the legends are true then? You were there when they defeated Morgoth in the first age? You, atop your giant white wolf, lead the combined armies of every race against the rising tide of the darkness of the first dark lord?" Thorin had trouble speaking everything into one sentence, as he had never been so close to a living, breathing legend before.

Bilbo looked on in confusion, he didn't understand any of this. He grinned as he realized that Rash was supposedly very old, but he hadn't read about the legend of the Wolf Knight before.

"But where's your wolf?" Kili then asked bluntly, a concerned look on his face formed.

Rash then looked down on his blade & sled his fingers across the blade again, almost petting it. "She's here." He said in a hushed voice & one could hint at a small sadness in his tone.

Rash told them about his sword and a little who he is. His age is older than he looks, he had been in middle earth far longer than any of them could have imagined.

Besides Gandalf and Beorn, who had known him much longer then anyone here. "Are you immortal Rash?" Bilbo asked and looked up at the towering man, who sat next to him.

"I am just assuming because you said you're older than we think." The hobbit said, and crossed his arms over his chest, with a hand under his chin. "Don't get me wrong. You're still looking good, for being "old"." The hobbit smiled. The company's eyes lend on the sword in the knight's hands. When Rash himself said the wolf is in the sword, Valerie got the idéa and understood his point.

"Her soul is sealed in to the sword." The assassin spoke and looked up to the knight. They turned their eyes to her. "How is that even possible?" Lilian asked confused, the elven girl had never heard of things like those before. "With magic of course," Valerie replied, now everyone nods their heads and were thinking. "Do you have magic?" The assassin asked, and everyone fell in silence for his reply.

Valerie was curious about magic. Because everything she had heard from Gandalf, Thorin & Elrond about her father was that he had magic, and he was some kind of a powerful sorcerer. She comes to think about her bloodline who had those powers. She's the only one left from her family, Valyria. And that leads too she does also have magic in her veins.

Valerie knows magic is very rare by humans and any other race. But it can be found in certain individuals, who are born with it even without them knowing it.

The only thing she needs to do is to learn how to embrace them.

If it's the case Rash has magic, couldn't he learn her? But, she didn't even know if she had it after all.

The company had become silent, expectantly waiting for Rash to tell them more. Thorin's grin was going nowhere, and he had taken a seat on a chair just a few feet away from Rash. Bilbo was now also very intrigued, as he'd never heard this much about magic before, spoken aloud.

"When she physical form died.." Rash started speaking with a voice deep enough to rumble mountains. "I sealed her spirit inside my sword. It's what she wanted, to be forever close to me. I couldn't deny her, even if i objected to the idea at first. So she her spirit is alive, but she is trapped in this blade until it breaks in two, or a powerful spell removes her." He continued. Then he turned his face to look at Valerie.

"I'm no wizard, Valerie. But i do know a few tricks, such as sealing spirits & wraiths. I also know how to destroy a spirit forever, but that is no simple feat to perform. If you seek to use magic such as making things appear out of nowhere or talking to animals, i'm the wrong person. However, if you want to apply magic in the sense of boosting your own power, i can help you."

He then looked down on his blade again, running his fingers across the golden engraving on the base of the blade. "Or more correctly, she can help you." The sword started to glow with a white hue, seemingly reacting to his words & touch. Rash had closed her eyes & sat still for a moment. Then his eyes sprung open again, suddenly his eyes had turned completely white, almost blindingly so.

"Lay thy hands upon me, and i will speak with you." A voice, other than Rash's, could be heard as the knight spoke. The eyes slammed shut again & then opened, as his eyes had turned back to normal. He smiled abit, as the dwarves all had jumped back in surprise. Gandalf stood next to the window he had stared out of before, supporting himself on his staff as he also made a small, satisfying smile.

"Can she hear us?" Lilian had bent over to look at the blade more closely, and without thinking about it, had grabbed Rash by the shoulder. The elf girl was now so close that Rash could smell her rosy perfume, located at her neck. The knight felt his cheeks run warm & he had to look away as for the company not to notice his embarrasment. Lilian didn't notice anything however, as she was fully drawn to the beauty of the sword.

"Yes, she hears everything." Rash said, still looking away.

"May i?" The elf girl asked with a silent voice. Rash nodded a little, and Lilian slowly let her fingers run down the length of the blade. "She's so warm. I thought steel was supposed to be cold?" She said with a voice that told everyone how intrigued & excited she was. "It's not just any type of steel. It takes a while for her to cool down once she awakes." The knight spoke, as he corrected his pose in the chair. The elf girl giggled in excitement & nodded in response.

Rash then slowly rose, holding his sword horizontally as he stood up. He then looked at Valerie with deep, telling eyes. "She wants to speak to you." The knight said, kneeling down in order to let Valerie touch the sword.

Valerie took a deep breath before she rests her hands on the sword. It was warm just like Lilian had mentioned before. Valerie closed her eyes, a voice began to speak to her. Guiding her.

When she opened her eyes again, around her were bright white walls it almost made her feel a headache. But when she looked closely she could see someone, from the distance. Valerie had to put her hands up to see the creature, who walked its way up to her. It is a wolf, bigger than any other that the assassin had seen before. Its white fur was gleaming by the light, her icy blue eyes which locked with Valeries.

The wolf walked its way up to where Valerie stood. When she had walked closer to the assassin. She felt Val's power, which runs in her blood. She also knew what Valerie had asked, she had heard them all during their breakfast. As Valerie was meeting the wolf, the dwarves, wizard, hobbit, knight, and elf was all in silence, while they looked at Valerie who had her hands on the sword. Her eyes closed, and she's still she didn't move a single thing like she were on a spell.

"Akandir," Valerie said and the wolf now stood a foot away. "I know you have magic in you. Stronger than any I have seen before." The wolf spoke, Valerie looked at her. "Can you help me?" Valerie asked the wolf who nods its head.

"Listen to your heartbeat, Valerie," Akandir said, while Valerie did as she was told. "Close your eyes, reach out your hands before you." The wolf guided her.

"Imagine you standing in front of a fire," Akandir said, Valerie had a problem first imagine fire, instead of memorizing flew in her mind the time the war had started & when she was tortured. Fire consumed everything, houses burning down to ashes. Families screaming, and death was upon the land.

"No, no! I can't." Valerie cried out, and her hands flew up to her head. Her head started to ache, and she fell down to her knees. The wolf walked up to her and puts her head against her side.

"Please, make it stop. Please, it hurts." Valerie spoke, she holds her head tighter from the ache. She feared to look back, it hurts her more than she thought it ever would.

"Don't let the fear take control over you," Akandir spoke softly, Valerie still felt she couldn't do it, but when she looked in the wolf's wise eyes, she took a steady and deep breath. - So she tried again.

Valerie didn't want to waste this chance, Akandir knew and felt the sorrow Valerie carried the only way to embrace her powers, is to accept what had happened in her past. Valerie then felt heat coming from her palms, and a burning feeling from her chest. At first, it did hurt, but when she concentrated the pain slowly fades.

"It's only you who can find your light." The wolf spoke and circled around Valerie who concentrated on herself. "Open your eyes," Akandir said and stood now in front of Valerie again. When Valerie opened her eyes, her hands were on fire. She looked closer and the fire didn't burn her, nor did it hurt her. She felt a spark in her chest that was just awake.

The dwarves, elf, wizard, and knight were silent as they all saw how Valerie's hands started to spark. Slowly, and slowly it began to be a flame around her hands. Everyone watched in awe.

Valerie watched in awe as she had formed fire in her both own hands. She could feel the wolf smiling. She felt how something inside her had awakened. "Now the next thing you'll need to do is." The wolf said and Valerie looked at her.

"Do what?" The assassin asked, "Step into a burning fire." Akandir said, "And stay there until it burns down." The wolf added. Valerie stepped back, and her eyes widened.

"If I do that, I will die," Valerie spoke, she's still shocked that the wolf even said such a thing. "No, my dear. It will show you're a real sorcerer." The wolf said.

Valerie had taken her hands off from the blade with a rush. She was "back" again, to the others around the table, and all eyes lend on her. Her eyes hurts a little when the change of light appeared around her. She was breathing fast and heavy. Valerie couldn't believe that Akandir wanted her to die. She is not immortal, nor was her father. But the assassin wouldn't be a fool, to step into a fire.

"It's absurd..." She mumbled under her breath. "What's absurd, Valerie?" Thorin had asked her as he saw that Valerie was actually scared, and that worried him. What had she seen, or been told to do?

"I will be nothing then black and bones." She talked in riddles, still in shock. But silence fell upon them all, and they understood what she meant.

As Valerie took her seat again, Rash followed her with his eyes. He held his sword across his lap & felt the warmth emanating from the blade. He knew that Akandir gave the girl an option. She was either going to learn how to use the latent forces that harbored inside of her, or she would not dare approach the task as it asked much of her courage.

Rash had seen this happen before, but only once. Several thousand years ago, a young woman had done it & succeeded. Now, Valerie only had to decide whether to live up to the legends of old, or not. Because who knew, she could have been a descendant of that very first woman to step into fire & awaken sorcery so strong, it could greatly turn the tide of any battle.

"It is a daring task, i know. You do not have to do it, should you choose to." The giant knight said, his voice somber. "But should you, something will awake inside you & you will know it." He still followed Valerie with his eyes & as he spoke, Valerie looked into his. She could feel his words emanating trustworthiness. He spoke as if he knew exactly what would happen, and he did.

"That sounds absurd." Thorin spoke bluntly. His grin of excitement was now long gone & had been replaced by a sour expression with teeth clenched. The dwarven company all turned their heads, and some nodded to their king that he was right. "Why would you go through with a ritual that could possibly turn a person into ash?" He continued, now seemingly angry.

Gandalf, resting on his staff, sighed to himself & made a tired face. He did not say anything, however. He was wise enough to know that sometimes, things were better left unsaid.

Bilbo looked to Valerie & then to Rash. "It sounds dangerous, Val. You sound like you're not very excited about walking straight into a bonfire just for the chance of using magic?" He said, doubtful of the quest that had been handed to the girl.

Rash, however - sat ever silent, just keeping his eyes at Valerie. Only he among the group, knew that Valerie wouldn't be hurt. That was the unique attribute Akandir harbored, she never lied & she always knew things before they happened. She could feel a spirit such as a dog can smell for miles. He trusted his companion & he trusted Valerie's decision, whatever choice she would make.

A part of Valerie has the courage to do it, but she was afraid to fail everyone. As Rash had said something far more powerful will awake in her, Valerie knew that was true. She had already felt that something had awakened inside of her, and there's more to see and to learn. Valerie turned her eyes to her small friend, who had just spoken to her. "It's not every day you hear that you will step into a fire and survive." She replied, with a small smile to Bilbo.

She wanted to actually try it, to see for herself what she really is, and who she truly is. Make the legends be true. The assassin eyed the dwarves, the hobbit, the elf. Then she eyed Gandalf who nods to her, and finally, her eyes lend back to Rash.

”I’ll have to think about it, but I need some air.” She spoke and stood up from her seat. ”I will gather up the ponies, so we can leave soon.” She said, and Gandalf nods to her as she left the house with her things already gathered.

Everyone was still all around the table, but as fast Valerie left, they rose up from their seats and get themselves selfs ready to leave.

Thorin looked at Rahs across the table, who followed his eyes when Valerie had walked out from the house. ”I won't accept this, I have seen what fire does.” Thorin spoke with irritation in his voice, but also a hint of worry in it. He was annoyed that someone would even try to say such a thing to Valerie, he couldn't but feel overprotective over her now.

Gandalf holds his staff tight in his hands, his eyes len on Beorn who nods. Soon they are all ready to ride to the Mirkwoods and leave the farm, gathered up together where Valerie already was waiting for them, she had fixed the ponies.

Lilian walked up to Valerie and looked at her with worring eyes. ”Are you alright Valerie?” She asked and Bilbo followed behind, he was also worried. Valerie turned her eyes to the elven girl, who walks up to her. "I just felt a little dizzy, but I am fine." She was honest while she stroked the bridge of the pony's nose.

Then the elf looked at the pony. "She is beautiful." Lilian smiled and stroked her hand over the ponies head. Valerie smiled with a slight nod, while she stroked the long black mane. ”Give me your knee, and I will push you up.” Valerie said to Lilian, she took her hands together so the elf could rest her knee in her hands, and Valerie pushed the elven girl up to the horseback.

”Valerie, if you need to talk this out. You know where I am.” Bilbo said who walked up to her. ”Thank you, Bilbo.” Valerie smiled at him, and she helped him to get up on the horseback of his pony.

Then Valerie jumps up on the horseback, with Lilian who already sat behind. ”You’re really used to ride, aren't you?” Lilian asked while she wrapped her arms around Valerie's waist.

”My family had a farm with ponies.” Valerie spoke while she petted the horse mane. ”I always spend my time riding coming home late, and had been out all day.” Valerie smiled to think about something else, then the task she sooner or later most face.

”So everyone ready, my fellows?” Gandalf spoke aloud and saw so everyone was gathered and upon their ponies.

”Let my ponies leave when you’re going to attend the Mirkwood.” Beorn said and Gandalf promised that they would come back home safe and sound.

The company rode out towards the gigantic forest & on the journey, the company didn't speak much. Valerie was in deep thought, trying to figure out what to do with the choice she had infront of her. Lilian sat quietly behind, noting her friend's distress. She put a hand on Valerie's shoulder, gently stroking her. Then, she started fiddling with her hair, slowly making a beautiful braid that stretched all the way down to Valerie's waist.

Lilian was pretty happy with the result & turned her head to look behind her at Rash, who was following by foot. One could hear his armor weighing heavy onto the ground, as Lilian could feel the vibrations with every step he took behind them. It was a wonder that the horse didn't get scared off, but then again, considering their master was equal in size & strength, they were probably used to the giant stature of Rash.

As he lumbered behind the girls & the horse, he looked at Lilian & into her eyes. She made a playful face & grabbed Valerie's braid gently & showed it to him. The knight smiled half-way up into a grin & chuckled. He then noted how the braid was elegantly made, then he could see part of Valerie's face. She was still deep in thought, even after a few hourse had passed. Rash started taking larger steps & easily caught up to Valerie's side. While walking past Lilian whom sat behind Valerie, he gently put a hand on her lower back & let it slide of her hip in a natural manner as he walked next to Valerie. Lilian's face shot up into a deep red color, her back going completely straight in reaction to his touch. Without thinking about it, she also grabbed hold of Valerie's sides & squeezed hard. That seemed to interrupt Valerie's thoughts as she shouted out in annoyance.

Rash now appeared left to Valerie's side, looking at her with deeply understanding eyes. "You will be alright. I give you my promise." He uttered, as he lightly reached his hand to touch Valerie on the shoulder. The horse staggered for a bit from having double riders on it's back, and steered for a small moment to the right. During that small moment, the knight's heavy hand which was originally going to land on Valerie's left shoulder, now landed on the border of her hip & upper thigh.

Valerie's eyes shot open in a staring shock & the hand that had landed dangerously close to her crotch, and too late had Rash realized. He quickly pulled his hand to his side again & looked away, trying to find an object in the distance to focus on.

"Look, there! A rabbit!" He shouted in a fabricated excitement. He could feel his spine cringing as thoughts of him perverting Valerie came into mind. He shook his head in a violent manner, trying to delete the moment from his memory. Lilian had noticed too, how the hand that had just caressed her, now did the same to Valerie. A strange, nail-like feeling stung her in her stomach. She suddenly felt irritated at Valerie for no reason whatsoever. Or was there a reason to it?