Valerie's eyes land on the knight, she thought to herself for a moment what just had happened. She noted that Rash was getting nervous by the touch, but she thought that was weird when he was the one who just had touched her. Then she noted Lilian, who had tightly hugged Valerie around her waist. She felt that the elf was annoyed over something. And she had figured it out by the looks from the corner of her eye. Oh, she hated drama, she didn't think of the Knight the way that Lilian now was thinking.

Then when Rash had tried to mention something far from the distance, to change the subject to talk about. Both Valerie and Lilian couldn't see the rabbit he spoke about. It was new to them both to see his character chance like this. Valerie had never seen it before from the knight, nor did Lilian who felt confused over his feelings.

Everyone was quiet and so were the others, the only thing that was heard was the singing birds from the trees and hooves from the ponies.

"How are you so sure?" The assassin broke the silence between them and got eye contact with the knight again.

"I want the legends to be true." The blonde spoke and looked forward. She holds the reins tight in her hands before she spoke again.

"Have you seen someone stepping into a bonfire, and come out alive?" Valerie asked and eyed Rash again, who walked next to the pony. "That was a stupid question," Valerie said and shook her head. Lilian was also now looking at the knight, but she had serious eyes looking at him, she felt angry that he had touched Valerie the way he did to her.

What did Rash really feel? Lilian wondered, as her eyes land on the assassin and at the knight. She was surprised to see that Valerie didn't give much emotion, she was a hard book to read. And so was Rash, who she has no clue what he was thinking, but she could sense that he liked them both.

Rash had refocused his attention to Valerie, his idea of a distraction hadn't worked as well has he'd hoped, as there was no rabbit to be found anywhere.

The knight then fell silent for a moment. One could see his eyes focusing on Valerie's, narrowing as he stared at her. "As i told you before, there was one woman who did just that a long time ago. This was during the great war with Morgoth. A human searched for the power to avenge her family & as she was supposed to be burned alive by the fires of war, she gained the power to smother it with a sweep of her hand. A grand sorceress she was, and turned the tide of battles, she did."

He kept walking beside the horse carrying the girls, looking out over the horizon stretching afar, then led his eyes back to Valerie.

"One such example was during the Siege of Gondolin. The grand sorceress used her insight to spirituality & amplified the strength of Echthelion of the Fountain. A legend he is, as you know, as he was the one that struck down the Balrog lord, Gothmog. In doing so, he sacrificed himself as he drowned after felling the beast into the gigantic fountain of Gondolin. However, had he not been supported by the Grand Sorceress power, Gondolin would have fallen & the war could have quickly turned to the favor of Morgoth."

He now took a deep breath, looking to Gandalf wandering in front of them, next to his own horse. The old wizard turned his head a little to the side & made a small nodding gesture. Apparently, the old wanderer could hear them speaking from the distance.

"Akandir knows of your spiritual strength. She hasn't told me much, but my belief is that you might be one of the Grand Sorceress's descendants." The knight spoke with a tone of uncertainty, as it was just a theory of his.

The dwarves looked around & all attention fell to Rash & what he had just said. Bilbo had caught up to the trio & panted as he spoke, "You're actually saying Valerie might be the great granddaughter of the greatest magic user of all time?" The trio slowed down so Bilbo didn't have to run. Then Rash nodded in acceptance.

Bilbo, Valerie, Lilian, and the others fell in silence when they all looked at the knight who "said" Valerie might be the great-granddaughter, to the greatest magic user who had ever existed. A part of the young lady felt honored in a way, and she would do the task no matter what her fear says. Valerie took a deep and steady breath, as her eyes then lend back on the knight. From looking at the hobbit who had ridden next to them with his pony.

"I will have to do it, it's the only way to see for myself what I truly am." The assassin spoke, she felt that Rash had a small smirk on his lips when he and the others just had heard Valerie spoke it out loud. Bilbo smiled at her and saw the strong and young girl back again. She wouldn't fail anyone. Thorin, however, was still not too sure about this task, but he stayed quiet and saved his speech for later, maybe Rash was right after all. Why would he lie he cared about her and fought with his own emotions just as hard like Valerie did herself.

Lilian was in silence, and rest her hand on Valerie's shoulder. The elven girl felt a smile on her face and she believed in Valerie.

Another hour had passed away, and the company was finally at the Mirkwood. They took their things from the ponies, and let them gallop to their home again as they had promised to Beorn. Then their eyes lend on to the deep and dark forest. "This forest, it feels sick," Bilbo spoke aloud, and he felt a gut feeling telling him they should not enter this forest. Valerie looked at the forest and agreed with Bilbo. She turned her attention to the wizard, who turned around to face the hobbit.

"Can't we go around it somehow?" Bilbo had then asked the wizard, who looked at the forest than at the hobbit. "No, my friend." He sighed, "That will take us hours to do so. And I am sure we don't have much time to waste." Gandalf spoke wisely and looked at Thorin. The to-be king nods his head looked at his dwarven brethren.

"There is the Elf-path, don't lose your track on it, if you do you will get lost," Gandalf spoke and he was upon his pony. "Are you going somewhere?" Bilbo asked confused, that the wizard had not left his pony as the others did.

"I need to fix things, Bilbo," Gandalf said and looked at him then the rest. "Don't leave the path, or you will get lost!" He yelled and ride away in another direction, to take care of things.

Before they moved into the sick forest and followed the way that the Elf-path. Walking in circles, hours had already passed by and Gandalf didn't return yet. "We need to hurry everyone!" Thorin shouted while he was the one who leads the group deeper into the forest. "Oh no!" Balin spoke aloud the company looked at him. "The path is gone! We must have missed it!" The wise and old dwarf said, with a panicked voice as he and the others looked at each other with panic.

"We need to find it," Bilbo spoke to himself, and begun to search for the path. "It's not here." Bofur said, "Not here either." Gloin muttered angrily, "Where is it? Where did we lose it?" Balin the wise spoke again, they were lost.

Clearly lost souls in a sick forest.

The company sat down to rest a little, and in hopes to find the Elf-path again, when they had gathered their energy. Everyone felt exhausted and tierd, even Bombur had fallen asleep and the dwarves had to carry him when they walked.

"Will we ever get out from this stupid forest?" Lilian asked angrily, as she walked her way over where Valerie was sitting by herself when the company took a break to rest. Lilian felt exhausted and irreterad over that Rash had touched the assassin. That he been so close to her nagged her mind. She couldn't but get the image out of her mind.

Valerie sat by herself in silence, and looked at something in her palm, drifting away in her thoughts. The elven maid felt nothing but jealousy and anger now. She couldn't hold in it anymore as something in the forest made her want to yell and scream. Valerie watched from the corner of her eyes when the elven maid walked up to her and took a seat on the ground. When their eyes meet, she saw the elf had darkened.

"Are you alright?" Valerie asked, and hid the stone but Lilian had seen it. "What was that?" She asked. Valerie looked at Lilian for a moment, then she took out her hand and opened her fingers. "It's a rune-stone. It was given to me by Kili. But I no longer know what to feel, as I strongly feel bond to someone else as well." Valerie sighed and stroked her thumb over the rune. Lilian however felt the air grow thick and she thought that Valerie held feelings for both Kili and Rash.

"Is Rash this special other who is on your mind, is it that you are telling me now?" Lilian snapped in a fury. Valerie looked at her with a narrowed gaze, "No he is not." Valerie snapped, "And I don't want to speak about this." Valerie rose from her seat, her eyes scanning to see where Thorin stood, some part of her wanted to be around him in this cursed forest. To his surprised Thorin was glad that Val had retreated by his side, and not by Kili's, he looked her over to see if she was feeling alright, and offered her his waterskin for her to stay hydrated, she thanks him as she felt safer around Thorin, she could feel Kili's eyes on her from afar, but something in her wanted to let the prince be for a moment, and also to see what her heart truly wanted from this.

Rash had listened to the girls' conversation but didn't pay any mind to it, at first. He then heard how Lilian had become hostile towards Valerie for no good reason & it started to dawn on him, not that both girls might have feelings for him, but that the forest was affecting them. He could hear just a few distances away how Thorin started talking angrily about Bilbo, saying how the hobbit was just a filthy burglar that couldn't keep his hands to himself.

Bilbo however, wasn't nearby. He had left when Valerie had taken a seat with him & the rest of the dwarves & he heard how everyone started arguing with eachother, so he climbed upwards a tree to get some air & to locate where they had wandered. He climbed to the top & as he broke the bushy leaves covering the treetops, he could feel the oxygen fill his lungs & the warmth of the sun breaking through the clouds. As he cherished the moment, he heard a rustling sound. He looked over with his eyes towards the distance, the forest stretching for miles away. A trail of broken treetops & leaves started making it's way towards the group & Bilbo. Something was approaching them & quickly. Bilbo panicked & started climbing down again to warn the group, but suddenly he felt a sticky substance cling to his foot. He panicked once more & fell down, landing in something extremely sticky & tough.

Further away, as the wolf knight had realized their situation, he had walked over to the elf maid sitting by herself, stuck in a cloud of jealousy. The knight stretched out his enormous hand & smiled to the girl. However, Lilian snapped. "Get your hand out of my sight. Go be with your "true love" that you feel so inclined to touch all the time!" Then she shook her head, seemingly shocked at what she said. She was about to bury hear head into her arms, as she felt a tremendous emotional pain in her chest.

Rash reached down, used both of his hands to grap the girl across her hips, and pulled her to him. Lilian instinctively reached around Rash's neck as he held her lower body. He then carried her, as a child, to the group of dwarves where Valerie was sitting.

"The forest is affecting all of us, we need to get out before we start to kill eachother." Rash uttered, before a horrifying high-pitched cry was heard from a few hundred meters. Everyone in the group stood up in shock & looked at how in the distance, eight-legged monstrosities approached with rapid speed. Rash pulled his sword from his back with his right hand, wielding it without losing posture as he still had Lilian clinging to his left arm & neck.

"Hold on tight." He said, tilting his head a little in Lilian's direction, almost touching her nose with his.

The dwarves and the woman drew out their swords, axes as the bushes and trees moved from the distance. A large creature ran out with four legs at each side, it's a large spider that was facing them, and it was not alone.

The company stood with their back against each other, while they hold their weapons ready to attack the dangerous creatures, which approached them. Bilbo was still up in the tree but he hurried down the branches to find his friends again. He slipped with his foot and fell down to the ground, but before he landed on the dirty ground he had fallen into a spider web, he panicked and drew out Sting and cut the web to get free. Before Bilbo landed on the ground he saw spiders incoming, and he could hear his friend's swords and cries from the spiders. The hobbit ran up to see what happened, and his eyes widened when they were all surrendered by spiders.

Then something else was coming, but no spiders this time it was elves. They drew out their arrows and shut the spiders that surrendered the company. An Elf woman with long auburn hair and an elf man who had blonde hair, was by the elven female side while the two shot down the spiders with their elf soldiers. The company watched in awe as the elf had to come, they shot down the spiders like they were flies, and soon their weapons were turned to the company. The blonde male elf spoke something in elvish, to the auburn-haired female elf who answered him. They looked at the dwarves, the assassin, and then at the knight, who hold an elven maid in his arm.

"It's not every day I see a group of 13 stinky dwarves, two humans, and an elf together." The blonde elf spoke, while he placed his bow back behind his back. He then leads the group out from the forest, with his men and the female elf by his side. Their way to the Halls of Thranduil. Bilbo took out the ring from his pocket and placed it on his finger. As he followed behind the soldiers of elves, of Mirkwood. And to where they lead his friends. "Where is Bilbo?" Valerie asked Thorin who walked next to her, he too hasn't seen The Hobbit. The two looked at each other with worry, they couldn't stop and go back to find Bilbo now when the elves were right behind them and leading the way.

"Keep on walking. I am sure my father wants to know the reason, why you're here in his woods." The elf spoke aloud. While the group walked into the port doors, no one knew that Bilbo was actually right behind them. Bilbo followed them in the shadows unseen.

As the elves & the company entered the Halls of Thranduil, Rash was walking at a steady pace behind his friends. The elves had realized just who the knight was when they saw his size in the forest. He hadn't raised his sword against them when they made the company surrender, even when the dwarves & Valerie were up in arms. He trusted the elves of Mirkwood enough for them to know who he was, and they did.

The tall, blonde elf was leading the company at the front. He turned his head just a little to get a peek at Rash, and as he looked back, eye contact was inevitable since Rash was completely staring at him from behind. The knight raised one of his eyebrows in a questionably way and the blonde elf made what seemed like an apologizing expression with the visible side of his face.

The dwarves, Valerie, Rash & Lilian were led into the beautiful elven city that was carved into a cave. Elf lanterns, waterfalls & bridges were present, as per usual elf design. But this place was different, much to the astonishment of the company. Kili & Fili looked around in wonder, as they had seldom seen such beauty when it came to buildings & structures. Only the great halls of the misty mountains ever came close because of it's majesty.

The elves led the dwarves through the halls into a lower portion of the city, they climbed down several short stairs & were led into different prison cells where they were all separated from eachother. Several of the dwarf comrades had irritated expressions on their faces, but the two dwarf brothers kept their humorous attitude up. Fili made a joke to his brother from across one of the cells and Kili laughed loudly in his own cell. Several elven guards then shot their eyes to both brothers, ordering them to stay quiet.

Meanwhile, Thorin - who was the leader of the company, was led by the blonde elf up the large halls throughout the caves. In the other end of the city, Thranduil's throne was seated atop what seemed like a large spire, and they walked up curved stairs to reach it.

Thranduil was seated on his throne when Thorin was escorted up to the floor from the stairs. The elf king had an almost emotionless face as he turned his head slowly to look at the lumbering dwarf, who walked up to the front of the king. His hands were no longer bound.

Further down, in the prison cells holding the dwarves, Kili was whistling a tune. He then came upon a thought. "Where's the knight?" He said aloud with an alerted tone. His brother, Fili, whom was in another prison cell infront of Kili, shrugged his shoulders as his arms hung through the prison bars, supporting himself.

Balin joined in, now also worried about their giant protector. "I gather he's too big to fit into one of these cells, maybe they have one especially built for giants. But even so, i wonder if they will imprison him at all. Elves have very keen senses, they should know what he is." The old dwarf said with a calm tone, hiding his growing worry.

Valerie had also been placed in a cell, one which was in the corner of the block, a few yards away from Kili's cell. She had calmly taken a seat on a hard bench that was build out of the prison cell wall. She sighed silently to herself, getting prepared for the worst to happen.

Then, some loud clanking noises were heard. They all recognized that these were steps, loud, stomping ones that made the prison cell bars vibrate lightly. Rash appeared from the large stairway that led into the prison block. He was not bound by any means & no elf guards escorted him. Two guards were watching from atop the stairs, standing guard to the exit.

The dwarves almost shouted in an excited chorus, believing that Rash had come to release them. Balin, however, knew better. He put out his hand with his finger outstretched & made a hushing sound to his dwarf friends, as to keep them quiet. He then shook his head & looked at Rash.

The knight smiled halfway at the old dwarf, he then walked over with reverberating steps to Valerie's cell. One could hear the sound of keys colliding from a keychain that Rash had hung on his hip. It was expected that he would open the cell with one of the keys, however, with one swift but violent motion, he ripped the prison cell door straight from it's hinges & tossed the barred door aside. He then looked up at the top of the stairs where the elves stood watching. He made an annoyed expression with his eyes & as the elves met the wolf knight's eyes, they turned around again as to pretend they didn't hear or see that.

"Come, my girl." Rash reached for Valerie with his hand as for her to take it.

Kili wondered what was going on & breathed in as he was about to ask Rash what he was doing. Before this, however, Rash put out his other hand as to signal for silence. He then turned his head to Kili who had grabbed his prison cell's door bars.

"Soon, my friend." The knight said with calming words, as he led Valerie out of the prison cell block.

Like the others, Valerie heard footsteps incoming from the stairs, at the moment everyone was silent. But as soon they saw who it was, the dwarves began to cheer when it was not but the only Rash. The knight opened Valerie's cell door, she looked at him with a questioned look. He reaches his hand to her, and she walks out of the cell. "What's going on?" Balin asked from his cell, she looked at the older dwarf, and then her eyes lent on Rash who answered the young dwarf.

The knight and assassin left the cells and walked their way to the throne room. Meanwhile, Thorin was talking to Thranduil in his throne room. "Some may imagine that a Noble quest is at hand. A Quest to reclaim a homeland and slay a dragon. I myself, suspect a more prosaic motive. Attempted burglary, or something of that ilk." The elven king spoke and looked down at Thorin, who had his stern face on.

"You have found a way in. You seek that which would bestow upon you the right to rule. A King's jewel. The Arkenstone. It is precious to you beyond measure, I understand that. There are gems in the mountain that I too desire. White gems of pure starlight. I offer you my help." The elven king said and now Thorin smiled.

"I am listening." The dwarf to be king replied and eyed the elven king, who slightly nods and walks down to him from his throne chair. "I will let you go if you but return what is mine." "A favor for a favor." Thorin said, "You have my word. One King to another." Thranduil spoke and was now standing in front of Thorin.

"I would not trust, Thranduil. The great King, to only his word. Till the end of all days be upon us!" Now Thranduil looked shocked at Thorin's words.

"You, lack all honor! I have seen how you treat your friends! We came to you once, starving, homeless. Seeking for your help. But you turned your back! You, turned away from the suffering of my people and the inferno that destroyed us!" Thorin yelled

"May you die in dragon fire!" The dwarf shouted in dwarvish at the elven king, who grow mad. "Do not talk to me of dragon fire! I know it's wrath and ruin. I have faced the great serpents of the North." As he spoke one side of Thranduil's face becomes distorted, showing signs of being once burnt, then as he steps back his face returns to its normal state.

"I warned your grandfather of what his greed would summon, but he would not listen." Thranduil walks up the stairs to his throne chair, looking again down at the dwarf. "You are just like him." The elven king motions for his guards to grab hold of Thorin who struggles as they hold him and take him away.

"Stay here if you will, and rot." He spoke, "A hundred years is a mere blink in a life of an Elf. I'm patient. I can wait."

Then Thorin was back to the cells and passed by the knight and the assassin who was making their way to the throne room. Valerie looked at Thorin and the elves who hold his arms and marshes out from the sight of the elven king. The both of them had heard their conversation and it didn't look good.

Balin looked at Thorin and hoped he had something good to say when the elven soldiers threw the dwarf into his cell, "Did he offer you a deal?" The wise and old dwarf asked.

"He did. I told him he could go ishkh khakfe andu null. Him and all his kin!" Thorin yells with irritation, and Balin sighed of his temper and waste a deal to get out from here.

"Well, that's that then. The deal was our only hope." Balin answered in disappointment.

As Rash and Valerie walk back to the throne room, the elven king wanted to talk to them. There he was on his throne chair, tall and long silver hair, majestic clothing, and a crown on his head. Rash lead the way, with Valerie by his side as the two walked to the throne room where the elven king eyes from sitting in his throne chair, with a small smile on his face he looked down at them when they approached him.

"Welcome to Mirkwood, you're my guests, I shall give you food and a place to sleep. Also, you're invited to the star festival tonight." Thranduil spoke, while he stood up from his throne chair, and walked his way down the stairs to the two.

Valerie's eyes followed the elven king, who was kind to them and offered them food, a place to sleep, and the festival to attend to later this night.

But a part of Valerie didn't want the bloody offer, if the dwarves weren't going to get it, why should she? "What was the offer you made to Thorin?" Valerie asked, the elf looked at her for a long moment, then answered. "I made him a deal, but he refused to take it." The elven king said, "What kind of deal?" She asked. "There are White gems of pure starlight, which belongs to me." The elven king said, and something looked saddened in him when he mentions the gems.

"Thorin doesn't trust you, and neither do I. You can let us rot here, but we will get to Erebor, without your permission." The elven king smirked at that, but Valerie didn't take his word, he could let them be here in his cells and rot, because life, mortal life was like flies in his eyes.

Rash stood next to Valerie the entire time during their conversation with Thranduil. Even if the elf king kept his focus on the human girl, he still knew of the giant knight standing guard. Thranduil had known of the great Wolf Knight ever since he himself was a child, grand stories had he been told by his father of the deeds of the great knight, riding upon his giant wolf - howling in the moonlight.

Unbeknowest to Valerie, the great king Thranduil had actually met Rash before, a long time ago. A childish feeling had started growing inside Thranduil's chest when Rash first appeared with the company of dwarves. The elf king had remembered how once, the legendary Wolf Knight had appeared before young Thranduil & his father, saving their family in a time of need when they were about to be slain by a great Orcish general. Thranduil's father, Oropher, had fought valiantly to protect his child & heir. At the last moment, when the great Orc had raised his brutal cleaver to behead the then-elf king, Rash - the great Wolf Knight - had appeared out what seemed like nothingness & grabbed the orc by the neck with one gigantic hand, then pierced the large orc with his greatsword, not unlike how one would fillet a fish.

The young Thranduil was starstruck by that moment, and forever on he would remember that legends could be true - Legends that his father had told him before that deciding moment. Now, Rash was standing before him again. As grateful as he was, he sometimes had a difficulty controlling his temper, just like Thorin, the dwarf-king to be that he had just imprisoned. He realized, after making the contract with Valerie, that he might have overreacted to Thorin's outburst. Thranduil was a wise king & he had lost this characteristic for just a small moment.

As soon as Thranduil had kissed Valerie's hand, the elf king turned around again, facing the direction of an open space where more of his kingdom stretched out before him.

"May the great Wolf protect you - Valerie, child of the Moon." Rash made a small smile, as his suspicions about Valerie were growing clearer. Now, Thranduil seemed to reinforce that suspicion - Valerie was not of a regular descent.

However, Valerie reacted by raising her eyebrows in a questioning manner & looked at Rash. The knight simply smiled at her, looking deeply into her eyes. He could see it too, just as Thranduil could. A great power, waiting to be unleashed upon those that had done her wrong.

Valerie understood that both the elven king and the knight, know the meaning behind of "May the great Wolf protect you. Child of the Moon" which Thranduil had just mention, she smiled to Thranduil and Rash and slightly nods her head.

She followed the elven king with her eyes as he spoke to her. "If you're ready to do your task, I can tell my men to start a bonfire for you." Thranduil spoke and turned his eyes to Valerie.

Valerie raised her chin, "I'm ready to do it tonight." She spoke aloud, and the elven king smiled to her. He and Rash both knew it was time for the power to awake within her. And they saw no fear in her eyes, not like Rash had seen before when she first was told about the legend. Now she stood here with so much confidence.

"I want my friends to be there, when I step into the fire." Valerie spoke. "So they will see with their own eyes and belive in me." She said and hoped the king would accept that.

Thranduil nods understanding she're close to the dwarves. His eyes lend over to the two of his elven guards. Who stood holding guard of the throne room.

"Lead Thorin and his company the way out to the courtyard. Say nothing about the bonfire, and make it ready for Valerie." Thranduil spoke aloud, to his guards who then left the throne room, and followed their kings order.

"The dwarves are going to wait in the courtyard. The star festival is starting soon, and your fire will be ready for you." Thranduil said, he had already planned everything for the night and the assassin's task.

Thranduil showed the way out from the throne room, and the way to the courtyard. With Rash and Valerie by his side.

Footsteps was incoming to the cells, the dwarves looked up with suprise as they all was thinking it was Valerie and Rash who was coming back. But, it were none of their two firends. The dwarves fell in silnce and was not expecting to see Thranduil's guards, who locked up their cell doors.

"It's the kings order for you all to follow us." The guard spoke aloud, and the dwarves didn't say a word as a reply to the elven guard. As they were guided away from the cell halls, and the way to the courtyard.

"Where are they taking us?" Balin asked, but noone answered him. Thorin had a gut feeling that something was wrong, but he didn't say anything.

"I hope they will give us at least food, lass." Bofur spoke and grinned, while the 13 dwarves followed the guards.

Someone who still lingers in the shadows, was no one but Bilbo himself. The hobbit followed the guards, who leaded the company and the halfling would soon show himself to his friends.

The company of dwarves were lead into a large open space, yet, it was filled with elves. To the left & to the right, rows upon rows of elf guards were standing, still as statues. In between the elves, there was a large bonfire that was unlit. The moon was approaching it's highpoint in the sky, and then Kili noted how he could see in a small distance, how the giant knight, Rash - stood next to a slim, long-haired figure. It was Valerie & Kili's annoyed expression turned into a joyus one as a smile shot up across his lips.

"Valerie!" He shouted, and several guards turned their heads in reaction. Valerie heard the shout & turned around so she could see her friends approaching in the distance. Rash smiled & laid a hand on her back.

"Go to them, free them of their worries." The knight said, shoving the girl lightly so that she would approach the company of dwarves.

Meanwhile, several elves were working with making a path upwards the bonfire so that Valerie could stand on an open plateau, otherwise, the wood & sticks would fall down upon her. As the dwarves could see the elves tirelessly working on the bonfire, they all realized what kind of bargain that Valerie had made.

Thorin was the first to object. He walked out amongs the cloud of dwarves. "Valerie! What have you done!?" He snapped in a fury, his eyes pent up to express his glaring eyes. "How are you still going through with this!?" He kept going as he walked towards Valerie, whom was approaching him too.

Thorin knew in his heart that he trusted Rash, but he didn't trust the thought of having someone walk into a fire and be completely unhurt. That was beyond legends, those were fairytales. He had seen what fire wrought & that was only despair & tragedy. Each time they had spoken of the idea that Valerie would walk into a fire, images started flashing by in his head as he remembered the day that the dreaded dragon Smaug had claimed Erebor by force. His dwarves sisters & brothers, fathers & mothers, had been burnt to crisps right in front of him. He could hear their screams echo in his head time & time again.

"You are still walking into a fire that could possibly burn you alive & make you look like a complete fool!" He kept on shouting, and all the elves nearby turned their heads to look at him. Some of them understood his feelings even if he was a dwarf, some of them hadn't lived long enough to see legends be brought to life. Thranduil had & he appeared right behind the dwarf company, behind Thorin.

"This is no dragon's fire, Thorin. We are invoking the cold fire of the Wolf." The elf king uttered with slow words of promise.

Rash placed his hand behind her back mention she should talk them out from their worries. At least Thorins. The Blonde woman approached the dwarf to be-king who was walking his way to her. She knew and understood that he is worried about this task. She would herself be scared if someone she cared about did something like this. But a part of her was not afraid anymore. Thorin looked from the corner of his eyes at Thranduil, who had mentioned the fire was no dragon fire. The dwarf still thought it was madness. He turned his eyes to Valerie again who had walked up to him.

“Don’t ask me to stand aside, as you climb on that pyre.” Thorin said, his eyes glazed over to the fire then at Valerie again. His fury was still there in his eyes and voice.

”This is what I must do, my blood have done this and I cannot walk away from my destiny.” Valerie said, and the dwarf to-be king saw hope in her eyes, that she believed in the legend of her family. But the knot in Thorin's chest only to grew stronger, and he didnt want to lose her, he had been the one who had seen his city burn, and people were taken from him. All made by the fire itself.

"You're strong enough with or without magic." He said and she shook her head slightly and answered. "You don't understand, this is not about getting stronger."

”I will not stand here and watch as you will burn to ash and bones.” He took her hands in his and held them tightly in his grip, Valerie's eyes lend to their hands, and then locked hers with his. “Is that what you fear?” She asked calmly, as the two of them looked at each other. She tiptoed and kissed his cheek, the kiss from her lips produced a feeling within the Dwarf to-be king a feeling that warmed his chest and eased his worries.

Valerie faced the fire, at the large pyre which is in front of her. Before she walked into it, she turned her eyes to the knight who nods to her, the elven king who did the same, and last to the dwarves and the hobbit. Ori began to write the scene that happened, in the book he always has with him and writes down what happens during the journey. He is the one who likes to write and read in the company. She then stepped into it slowly, walking the path which leads to a sport she will stand into the pyre. Thorin's heart was restless and his eyes never left the woman in the fire.

As she walked into the great fire, her coat behind her began to burn. But, she felt that the fire didn't burn her hair, that's when she understood that she is truly immune from fire.

All the dwarves stared in awe as their friend stood inside a fire that was now like an enormous pyre. The flames were swatting with heat that almost seared Kili's eyebrows off, even at a distance. Rows upon rows of elves also stood with surprised expressions on their faces, gawking at what was happening before their very eyes. Albeit their old age & blessing of immortality, none of them had seen flesh close to a fire & not be burnt by the heat.

Rash stood at a short distance from the dwarves & as a smile started to form on his face, Lilian approached from behind. She jogged into the large open dome-like hall & watched how a slim, long-haired woman stood inside enormous flickering flames. She was about to shout out in horror but the knight stretched out a hand & covered her mouth. She quickly looked at him with panicked eyes, and he gave her a reassuring look. She then composed herself, but couldn't keep her jaw from dropping as she was witnessing a miracle infront of her.

The fire then changed color in the blink of an eye, turning white with shades of blue because of the intense heat. The flames almost became unbearable to the onlookers & everyone had to back away several yards not to feel the scorch. One could witness how pieces of cloth was disintegrating at a rapid pace, pieces of ash almost exploding out from the flames. Still, the figure was standing unhurt, no thinner or different other than a naked, white body. The fire died down slowly, and both elves & dwarves turned their heads not to look at the naked girl, miracously standing in the center of the large hall.

The Wolf Knight was the only one who did not look away. His cheeks were turning a reddish color, but he chose to ignore it. He grabbed his sword & balanced it between his hands, holding it out. He walked towards the bonfire, facing Valerie as he did.

He reached the bonfire & silently knelt in front of the naked girl. The large blade started emanating a light blue color & what seemed like a light mist. Rash held out the sword in order for Valerie to grab it's hilt.

Valerie's body was covered from the ashes and dirt. Her long hair shined bright by the moonlight. She had succeeded in the task and showed everyone that the legends are true.

A smile forms upon her lips, while she eyed the knight who walked up to her. When the fire had burned out. Rash holds the sword in his hands, for her to take. She looked him in the eyes, and then at the blade which he holds in his hands. She moved her hand up to the hilt and hold it steady. It's heavy and it's a tall blade, made so the knight can fight with it. But when Valerie touched the hilt, the sword changed its form to a smaller size. It became much easier for Valerie to wield it by one hand. Then the blade itself begun to shine in a bright blue color. The wolf connects itself to her, after all those years. "You succeeded, Valerie." The Wolf's voice spoke in her mind. Valerie smiled as a reply, while she looked at the blade in her hands.

Valerie couldn't believe this was real after all. She had felt how the power that lingers in her veins within her, had awaked when she stepped into the fire. Now everyone the elves, dwarves, hobbits, and human knowledge that the old Legend and Valerie's bloodline is all true. Here she stood unhurt by the fire and is the last of her bloodline. Valerie looked around her, the trees and branches which once were holding the pyre were now all burnt down. Nothing but ashes and dirt was on the ground around her. The elves, dwarves, the hobbit had all their eyes wide. But, in their eyes, she saw hope and awe. They all knelt down to their knees, as they had just watched a young girl who walked into a large pyre of flames and survived unhurt when it burnt down.

The daughter of the Moon.

Valerie held the sword of the Wolf high. It was now surprisingly light & as she held it, it started changing color into that of a reddish hue. It seemed that the magic that had awakened inside Valerie slightly imbued the blade with a power of passionate fire, symbolizing Valerie's burning desire for vengeance. As the girl had her hand still on the hilt, she could feel the spirit inside of it speaking to her. It was very blatant first, but then it started to become more like a feeling or whispers that soothed her soul whenever Akandir communicated with her.

The dwarf group had approached Valerie by running towards her as they were all astounded that the ritual worked. Most of them were still worried, such as Thorin - Who still believed this to have been a dumb idea. However, he couldn't help but feel delighted - And inspired. For once in his life, he had actually seen magic brought to life before his very eyes, something he had been sure was impossible in his day & age.

Rash had disappeared for a moment as the dwarves celebrated their friend, and he came back with a red cloak that he gently put around Valerie's body to cover her. Lilian had come up to the celebration also & quickly hugged her companion, relieved that she was unhurt.

The elf king had started his approach toward the company standing by the bonfire with Valerie. He stopped just short of a few meters away from Thorin, as he kept his eyes on Valerie.

"Now, to help your company get on your way." Thranduil spoke aloud, and all the dwarves turned around in reaction.

The company left in the dawn and followed the forest river. When the company had passed the end of the river, which lead them to the sea they saw a large boat already in the water. Thorin walked up to the boat and his brethren followed closely behind.

”Did Thranduil send us this boat?” Asked Balin, who looked relieved that they would have a ride to get to the Misty mountains over the large lake which is between them and the Leak Town, which not far away. ”Not quite.” Said Thorin, and his eyes lend up to a rock. Where a tall bowman stood, and ready with his arrow sighed on the bowstring pointed to the leader.

Fili and Kili grabbed both small rocks and were about to throw them at the bowman. But he was quicker and shot the arrow at the brothers, he didn’t hurt them, he only knocked out the rocks from their hands. The brother's expression was surprised as their eyes leaned on their empty hands. Valerie drew out her bow and tighten her arrow on the string as an instinct at the bowman, but he pointed his bow and arrow at her this time. ”Do it again, and you’ll be dead.” The bowman’s voice was hoarse and rough, as he eyed the company. He had now a new arrow placed on the bowstring & he pointed at the company. Thorin walked up to Valerie's side, and rest his hand on her lower back. Balin then slowly walks forward, speaking in a calm and wise voice. "Excuse me, but you're from Lake Town if I am not mistaken," Balin said, with his hands up in the air, to show the man no harm.

"That barge over there.” He nodded to the wooden boat in the stream abaft him. ”It wouldn't be available for hire, by any chance?" Asked Balin and observed the human man, who lowered his bow towards the ground. Everyone looked at Balin, who knew what he was doing.

”We sincerely need your assistance to cross this river.” Balin spoke once more, the bowman gazed down to glare at the company of 13 dwarves, a halfling, two humans, and an elf. He lashed his arrow back over his shoulder and strapped it back into his quiver. Eyes followed him, as he stepped down the rocks and headed toward the barge with lengthy extended footsteps.

”What makes you think I would help you?” He snarled, ”Those boots have seen better days.” Balin nodded towards the ragged shrunk boots hanging around his ankles. ”As has that coat.” The Bowman shrugs his shoulders and rolled his neck. ”No doubt you have some hungry mouths to feed?” Balin smiled, ”How many brains?” He asked with sympathy.

”A boy and two girls,” The bowman mumbled, ”And your wife, I imagine, she’s a beauty?” Balin smiled, observing as the Bowman had frozen on the barge deck, and stared out at the river for a moment. ”Aye, she was.” He replied, Balin’s smile and humorous manners shrunk and he looked to the ground in atonement. ”I am sorry I didn't mean to...” The dwarf began, ”Come on, enough with the niceties!” Dwalin hissed and the Bowman turned to face him, expression obscured and head cocked to the side.

”What’s your hurry?” He asked land looked at the company, ”What’s it to you?” Dwalin asked still annoyed. The bowman answered. ”I would like to know who you are, what you’re doing in these lands? ” The bowman asked. ”We are simple merchants from the Blue Mountains, journeying to see our kin in the Iron Hills.” Balin spoke. ”Simple merchants, you say?” The human man repeated, Thorin approached the barge. ”We need food and supplies.” He declared, ”Can you help us?” The Bowman did not answer, instead, he leaned his weight to the base of the mast. ”No one enters the Laketown, but by the lead of the master. All his wealth comes from the trade with the Woodland Realm.” The Bowman holds the rope from making the boat floating off. Balin then told the bowman they could pay the double price if he helped them to smuggle and he agrees.

The boat was then on it's way towards Laketown. The time it took to get there was not very long. However, during their short trip, they could plan for any unforeseen consequences. The dwarves had taken seats upon the large boat & most looked relieved to be in open space again after the cramped spaces of the Halls of Thranduil.

Valerie, Lilian & Rash were all standing in the back end of the boat, keeping lookout from behind. Valerie had laid her eyes upon Rash several times & felt odd seeing him without his gigantic greatsword. Her eyes usually went from staring at him quickly then to look at the surface of the water. Lilian noticed this from the corner of her eye as her focus usually were steadily on the knight.

The elf girl felt small bursts of irritation whenever Valerie was close to Rash, but it wasn't very noticeable. The only time Lilian had completely lost her calm, was when the company was still in the cursed forest. Once she had started feeling a small spite of jealousy, that feeling of anger & sadness took her over completely. She felt selfish at times & she always returned to the thought that Rash was a human, just like Valerie. Even if this wasn't necessarily true, it was a human he had taken the appearance of. This is what had her motivated to not disturb any kind of connection between the two.

"Valerie." The wolf knight uttered with a blunt voice. The human girl turned her head a little, a sling of her wet hair swinging to the side. She looked questioningly at Rash. "Would you hand over Akandir? He asked gently, stretching out his giant hand.

Valerie gladly grabbed the hilt of the sword hanging at her side & handed it to Rash. As he grabbed the hilt from under her hand as she held it out, the entire structure of the sword felt like it was growing. And it was. As soon as Valerie had let go of the sword, it had suddenly grown almost three times it's size - It almost looked inflatable.

Rash then felt the weight of the sword lower the top of the blade to the floor. With a small thud, the sharp end of the blade hit the boat floor lightly. The boatsman with the bow who was escorting the company, suddenly noticed a large change in weight. The boat almost slowed down & his rowing didn't take the boat as far as before. He felt the weight from behind him & turned his head slowly. He noticed how the large knight had suddenly pulled out a sword that was as big as a human & he felt astounded that he hadn't noticed such a large weapon among the company before.

The boatsman had come up with a plan that would cover the humans. The elf girl was to pretend being a maid that wanted to serve the great mayor. Valerie & Rash were supposed to be bodyguards looking for work, also seeking to meet with the mayor.

The dwarves however, were still discussing as to come up with a plan that could cover them as they went into Laketown. Earlier, the boatsman had proposed that the dwarves hide in barrels filled with fish & almost every dwarf had objected. Bilbo had agreed to the plan however, as it seemed a great way to hide.

After much heated discussing, the dwarves turned around to look at their human friends at the back of the boat, then to the boatsman to deliver their decision.

The dwarves picked up their coins and Balin began to count them, to see how much they own the bowman. Bilbo had walked up to the bowman and asked, ”What’s your name, sir?” He smiled warmly and put his hands in his pockets, the bowman looked at the hobbit, ”My name is Bard, and you’re?” He glanced down at the hobbit, ”I am Bilbo, Bilbo Baggins. It’s very kind of you to help us.” Said the hobbit and smiled. Their plan should work, Bilbo and the rest of the dwarves should all jump into each of the barrels. While Lilian, Rash and Valerie should pretend to be relative to Bard.

When they had jumped in the barrels of fish and pretend, Bard stopped the barge and talked to an older kind fisher-man, who was accepting Bard and his boat. They knew each other and the kind old man let them go through without any problem. But then another man with a crooked back walked up to the old man who holds the paperwork and gripped it from him with force.

”The boat should have empty barrels, not filled with fish!” The ugly man snorted, while he called his guards out. ”Empty the barrels.” He ordered them, and the guards all walked on board, they grabbed one of the barrels as they tried to empty it off fish. Now Rash, Lilian, and Valerie reacted with a cold glare at the man who ordered the guards to empty the barrels, they both hold their hands steady on their sword hilts.

”Think about the people Alfred. They all need food, and so do Master.” Bard spoke aloud and the man who was named Alfred, demanded the guards to empty the barrels rose his hand and said ”stop.” As he did his men stopped and walked away from the boat. Bard sighed out in relief. But the man wasn't finished. He eyed the people that were with Bard, people he saw before on their lake. ”And it doesn't say you will have company!” The man spoke and glared at the three new people he hasn't seen before. ”Who are they?” Asked Alfred, Bard looked at the three he pointed over at. ”They will keep the town safe. And the elf is a maid who will help the two.” Bard lied, but Alfred narrowed his eyes at Bard again.

"Our mayor hasn't told me about this.” He snapped in a fury, ”They will do no harm, you or the Mayor don't need to worry about them.” Bard said, and Alfred suddenly gives up arguing. ”I know where you live, Bard.” Alfred said while he pointed his finger at Bard. Bard made the boat float into the town, ”It’s a small town Alfred. Everyone knows where everyone lives.” Replied Bard.

The company made themselves quite comfortable in Bard's house. Rash had taken a seat on the floor, keeping out of the windows in order to keep his giant size secret. Bard had gone outside to get more fire & Rash could see how the boatsman was distressed about the situation. Bard didn't have much to earn from the company's agreement with him, so Rash was quick to notice that Bard was a good-hearted man with honor deeply rooted in his heart. Keeping the company secret would come to prove to be a difficult task, as Bard was about to realize.

Bilbo was concerned with Bard seemingly risking his livelyhood & his family in order to keep strangers safe. He was about to start talking to the boatsman but he had already left the house. Now, Bilbo went over to Rash as to express his thoughts - After all they had been through, Rash was someone that the young hobbit could confide in.

"Rash, can i ask you something?" The hobbit said quietly, checking around as to make sure none of the other in the company heard him whispering. The knight nodded slightly & kept his eyes stuck to Bilbo. Bilbo made a concerned face before he continued, "Do you think that it's alright for us to be here? I mean, we're risking the lives of children by staying here."

Rash didn't make a move or a reaction. He just seemed to listen, and his eyes wandered slowly from Bilbo so that he could see the other dwarves in the company. He looked at Thorin, then to Valerie & then to Lilian, standing next to the boy in the family. The young man was asking the elf maid lots of questions, seemingly because he had never met a real elf before.

Rash smiled for just a moment, before looking back to Bilbo. "I agree. We need to be on our way to Erebor. We are wasting time here. The knight spoke silently, but his voice was too deep to miss entirely. The dwarves turned around, as did Valerie, Lilian & the children in the house. All of them heard what he said and he had meant for them to.

Balin then looked at Thorin with a questioning look, as if to ask him to lead the way so that they could take back their mountain. Thorin nodded for once & agreed with Rash's statement. The dwarf heir was eager to reclaim his city & to take his rightful seat as King under the mountain.

As the company was about to leave they were all stopped by men from the Master of the Laketown, and Alfred who Bard had talked with before, was there. Smirking and showing his yellowed teeth. No one from the company dared to rise their weapons at the guards, who already had their spear against the group. They lead them to where the Master is, and people where gathered around. They also had brought Bard to the place. This was not what they wanted. "If you awake that beast, it will destroy us all." Bard spoke aloud and eyed Thorin who turned his eyes to the bowman.

People from the town were gathered up to see what happened, they stood around the company and looked with awe as they saw, the king under the Mountain who had returned to his home with his kin. Hope was in their eyes, as they all believed they could get back the lives, they once had lost from the dragon fire. "You can listen to this naysayer, but I promise you this. If we succeed, all will share in the wealth of the mountain. You will have enough gold to rebuild Esgaroth ten times over!" Said Thorin, and eyed the people who all begun to sheer. But Bard stepped up and faced his people. "All of you! Listen to me!" Said Bard, and the poor people's attention lends on to the bowman who spoke.

"You must listen! Have you forgotten what happened to Dale? Have you forgotten those who died in the firestorm?" He asked and looked at them, who become saddened and their hope slowly faded from what Thorin just promised. "And for what purpose? The blind ambition of a Mountain King, so riveted by greed he cannot see beyond his own desire!" Bard now yelled and eyed Thorin, who his kin stood up for him, but the bowman had a point in what he said.

"Now, now we must not any of us be too quick to lay blame." The Master spoke aloud, "Let us not forget that it was Girion, Lord of Dale, your ancestor, who failed to kill the beast! Hm." He said and eyed Bard who narrowed his eyes at the man who thought about nothing then gold than about his own people's safety. Thorin turned around to look at the Master. "I speak to the Master of the men of the Lake. Will you see the prophecy fulfilled? Will you share in the great wealth of our people?" The dwarf king asked

And Master of Laketown grinned. "I say unto you." He spoke and rose his hands in the air. "Welcome! Welcome and thrice welcome, King under the Mountain!" The people began to sheer and forgot about the dragon fire and loss that lies upon them. The company was given as a gift by the Master of Laketown and left the town as the people waved as they left.

Everyone in the company did agree to Bard's point, they knew it's a dangerous task to take back Erebor. To awake Smaug from his slumber, would cost a lot of innocent lives who had already suffered enough.

The townsfolk readied several boats that would take the dwarves to the shore of the misty mountains. The dwarves didn't dare speak up to their king, as all of them wanted to support him & not let loose his wrath.

Valerie was silent during the arguing between Bard & Thorin. Rash looked over to her as he stood next to her, Lilian at his right hand side. He didn't have to try to read Valerie's expression as he deeply understood that she saw through Thorin's selfishness. Neither of them spoke out however, as they knew that it wouldn't stop the dwarf leader from following his desire. In Thorin's defense however, the dragon had to be vanquished & Erebor needed a king so that Middle-Earth could gain another protector from the enemy.

Rash knew what Gandalf was up to, he knew that a necromancer had taken hold of Dol Guldur. He, however, left that to be solved by the Wizards. Even if he trusted Gandalf to handle himself, the knight couldn't help but worry. He knew firsthand the power of Sauron.

Before Sauron was seduced by Morgoth, Rash had met the great spirit, as he was a kindred spirit. Before the dark lord's infamous name, he was called Mairon. His title was "The Admirable" because of his great virtue for order & coordination. He had the best craftsmanship of all the Maia as he could build virtually anything in any size. That's when Rash met him, during a time when Mairon was crafting weapons of legend, preparing for the war against Morgoth.

Rash had approached Mairon & asked him for a weapon that could sweep armies with one swing, or one that could quickly dispatch hordes of enemies one by one before the alarm rung.

Mairon then forged a sword that harbored the ability to do both. That very same sword which Rash held in his hand. The blade that could change shape & size to fit Valerie, should she choose to wield it. The wolf spirit sealed inside the blade amplified this power a tenfold, yet, Rash could not wield that power. Only one of the same descent as the Wolf spirit, could. The knight was waiting for that day to happen, when he finally could witness the weapon's true potential.

He then smiled slightly as he looked at Valerie. He laid a large hand on her shoulder, carressing her in a calming manner. She turned her head & looked up at him, seemingly at ease from his touch.