Climbing the foothills of the mountain seemed to go by faster than I thought it would. At one point, Thorin, recognizing the landscape, runs atop an embankment overlooking a valley. We all race after him and joining him look across the valley at the ruins of an old city.

"What is this place?" Bilbo asks voicing my curiosity.

"It was once the city of Dale. Now it is a ruin. The desolation of Smaug." Balin says and my heart clenches for the lives lost here. Flashes of when Surtur destroyed Asgard flash through my mind causing my lip to tremble slightly at the memory.

"The sun will soon reach midday; let's find the hidden door into the mountain before it sets. This way!" Thorin calls as he starts to race away.

"Wait...is this the overlook? Gandalf said to meet him here. On no account were we-" Bilbo calls out but none of the dwarves are listening.

"Do you see him? We have no time to wait upon the wizard. We're on our own." Thorin interrupts. "Come!"

The other dwarves follow him; but Bilbo and I look back at the city, conflicted.

"We have no choice; we must go with them." I add turning to follow them. Bilbo waits for a moment then reluctantly follows.

Reaching the mountainside, we start to look for the secret entrance.

"Anything?" Thorin calls out.

"Nothing!" Dwalin replies.

"If the map is true, the hidden door lies directly above us." Thorin says softly.

Bilbo, walking around, sees a massive statue of a dwarf carved into the side of the mountain. Looking closely, he notices a set of stairs built into the statue.

"Up here!" Bilbo calls out making us all look toward him.

"You have keen eyes, Master Baggins." Thorin calls.

We painstakingly make our way up the steep and treacherous steps and find a little rock-walled clearing in the side of the mountain. Thorin runs to the clearing.

"This must be it. The hidden door." Thorin exclaims. "Let all those who doubted us rue this day!" Thorin holds up his key, the others cheer.

"Right. We have our key, which means that somewhere, there is a keyhole." Dwalin says as they all start to explore the walls of the clearing with their fingers, looking for a keyhole. Thorin walks to the edge of the clearing and looks out at the setting sun.

"The last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the keyhole." Thorin ponders.

Thorin looks at the wall and tries to figure out what the light hitting the wall means. As the sun gets lower and lower on the horizon and nothing changes on the wall, Thorin begins to get frantic. "Nori."

Nori, who is known as a thief, runs to the wall and begins tapping it in different places with a spoon while holding his ear to a cup held against the wall. Meanwhile, Dwalin strains and pushes against the wall. The sun gets lower.

"We're losing the light." Thorin yells out panic in his voice.

"Come on!" Dwalin cries out as he begins kicking at the wall.

"Be quiet! I can't hear when you're thumping." Nori yells at Dwalin.

"I can't find it...it's not here! It's not here." Dwalin panics.

As the sun gets closer to disappearing, Thorin frantically gestures to the other dwarves.

"Break it down!" Thorin yells out causing Dwalin, Gloin, and Bifur smash at the wall with their weapons, to no avail. "Come on!"

"It's no good! The doors sealed. It can't be opened by force. Powerful magic on it." Balin says and the dwarves hitting the door drop their weapons in tiredness and in disappointment. The sun disappears behind distant mountains.

"No!" Thorin cries as he stumbles forward and re-examines the old map, reading aloud. "The last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the keyhole. That's what it says." He holds his arms open is disbelief, the other dwarves mutter in disappointment and anger. "What did we miss?" Thorin walks up to Balin and repeats his question, earnestly and tearfully. "What did we miss, Balin?"

"We've lost the light. There's no more to be done. We had but one chance." Balin says and I feel tears sting my eyes at their loss. The dwarves bow their heads in despair and turn back toward the stairs. "Come away; it's...it's over."

"Wait a minute!" Bilbo cries out as we watch them turn and head back down the stairs. "Where are they going? You can't give up now!"

Bilbo looks beseechingly at Thorin, but Thorin turns away. He holds up his key and looks at it, then drops it to the ground, where it clatters.

"Thorin...you can't give up now." I say moving closer to him.

Thorin throws the map at Bilbo's chest and walks past him. I give Bilbo an apologetic look as I quickly follow after Thorin.

"Thorin, I know how you must be feeling, but maybe Bilbo is right."

"You know nothing of my pain."

"Do I not?" I argue anger filling my voice. "You forget, I lost my home too. I will never ever be able to get it back." Tears sting my eyes as I continue, "You have a chance, give Bilbo a chance to figure this out. please, do not give up."

Thorin turns to face me and for a moment, and thanks to the stairs, he is taller than me. His deep blue eyes find mine and he looks broken.

"Thorin, you haven't failed until you give up." I close the distance taking his hands in mine. "Thorin, I care for you, and I want you to be happy. Turning around and leaving, will not make you happy."

Thorin pulls his hands from mine and reaching up gently cups my face.

"I do not know if I can take anymore loss." Thorin whispers and I lean into his touch.

"Thorin," I start about to lay my secret bare. "There is something I've been hiding from you. Something you should know."

"What is it?" He inquires.

Before I have a chance to tell him I hear Bilbo cry out.

"The keyhole! Come back! Come back! It's the light of the moon, the last moon of autumn! Ha ha ha!"

Thorin's eyes widen with newfound hope. We instantly turn and race back up the stairs. When we round the corner, Bilbo is looking frantically around on the ground in the clearing for the key, suddenly, his foot hits it and it goes flying from the clearing. Just before it falls off the side of the mountain, a boot steps on the string and stops it. It is Thorin. Bilbo sighs in relief. Thorin slowly reaches down and picks up the key, then examines it. The other dwarves step up beside him. They all smile in relief at Bilbo.

Thorin inserts the key into the keyhole and turns it; mechanisms are heard turning behind the rock. Thorin pushes the wall, and a previously unseen door opens into the mountain. The seams of the door were completely invisible earlier. The door opens into a tunnel going into the mountain. The dwarves look on it awe as Thorin stands on the threshold.

"Erebor." Thorin breathes as he takes a step inside.

"Thorin..." Balin chokes up, and Thorin puts a hand on his shoulder.

"I know these walls...these walls, this stone. You remember it, Balin. Chambers filled with golden light." As he says this, Thorin runs his hands over the walls, lost in memory. Balin steps into the tunnel.

"I remember." Balin adds.

The rest of the Company slowly and reverently enters the mountain. Inside, Nori points at a carving in the wall above the door; it is of the throne of Erebor, with a bright jewel above it, sending out rays of light in all directions. Gloin reads aloud the inscription on the carving.

"Herein lies the seventh kingdom of Durin's Folk. May the heart of the mountain unite all dwarves in defense of this home."

Bilbo looks at the carving in interest and curiosity. Balin explains it to him. "The throne of the king."

"Oh. And what's that above it?" Bilbo asks.

"The Arkenstone."

"Arkenstone... And what's that?"

"That, Master Burglar, is why you are here." Thorin concludes and my brow furrows. All the dwarves look at Bilbo, and he looks bewildered, but resolute.

"Wait, you're making him go in alone?" I question making them all turn toward me.

"Bilbo knows what he's doing." Thorin exclaims.

"It a fucking dragon Thorin." I argue my eyes widening slightly.

"It's okay (Name), I can do this." Bilbo interrupts and I shake my head.

I go to argue but he cuts me off with a smile. My stomach twists and turns as a bad feeling washes over me. Bilbo quietly walks through a large doorway and disappears into the mountain. I wait for a while but then I can't take it anymore.

"I'm going after him." I say as I start toward the entryway.

"No, you'll stay here." Thorin orders as he grabs my arm holding me back.

The ground starts to shake, and panic feels my body.

"Was that an earthquake?" Dori asks.

"That, my lad...was a dragon." Balin answers and I furrow my brow.

I feel heat coming from the doorway and I turn to see an orange glow from the mountain coming through the door.

"What about Bilbo?" Ori asks and I clench my fists.

"Give him more time." Thorin orders and I stare daggers at him.

"Time to do what? To be killed?" I argue angrily hating every second I cannot go to help Bilbo.

"You're afraid." Thorin retorts and I scoff shaking my head.

Balin steps in between us causing Thorin to turn toward him.

"I fear for YOU. A sickness lies upon that treasure hoard, a sickness that drove your grandfather mad." Balin says making Thorin's brow furrow.

"I am not my grandfather."

"You're not yourself. The Thorin I know would not hesitate to go in there-"

"I will not risk this quest for the life of one burglar."

Balin looks at Thorin disgustedly.

"Bilbo." I start disappointment in my eyes. "His name is Bilbo."

Thorin looks contemplatively out into the night.

"I'm going, and you cannot stop me." I say reaching up to pull his hand from my arm. "There is only one person here who can handle that dragon." I pause fire filling my eyes. "And it's me."

Thorin snaps back to look at me, but I am already racing down the halls. I hear him call after me, but I don't turn around. I follow the heat and flicker of orange light. After a few turns I make it to the grand hall. If I hadn't grown up in a kingdom of golden castles the mass of gold would have stunned me to silence. There was so much gold, rivers of it flowed around the old emerald stone columns.

"You have been used, thief in the shadows. You were only ever a means to an end. The coward Oakenshield has weighed the value of your life and found it worth nothing." I hear a deep voice speak and I turn to see a massive dragon. He was nothing like the stories Thor had told of the dragons he had killed.

"No. No. No, you're lying!" I hear Bilbo cry out and I search for him. I find him below a pillar a white gem shining a few feet away from him.

"What did he promise you? A share of the treasure? As if it was his to give. I will not part with a single coin. Not one piece of it."

Bilbo, hearing that Smaug is on top of the structure, seeks the Arkenstone lying a few feet away from the structure and makes a run for it. Smaug sees him and whips his tail, sending Bilbo, the Arkenstone, and gold flying. Bilbo tumbles and lands against a pillar.

"My teeth are swords! My claws are spears! My wings are a hurricane!"

As Smaug displays his wings, Bilbo notices a scale missing on the left side of Smaug's chest. He whispers to himself.

"So, it is true. The black arrow found its mark." Bilbo says and I narrow my eyes to try to follow his gaze.

"What did you say??" Smaug questions.

"Uh, uh, I was just saying your reputation precedes you, oh Smaug the tyrannical. Truly, you have no equal on this earth."

As Bilbo speaks, he slowly backs up. He is standing in a bare, open spot, and Smaug faces him. As he finishes speaking, Bilbo looks down and sees the Arkenstone lying just a few feet from him, and he gazes at it.

"I am almost tempted to let you take it, if only to see Oakenshield suffer, watch it destroy him, watch it corrupt his heart and drive him mad."

Bilbo and Smaug face off, Bilbo pants. Then Smaug begins to rear his head.

"But I think not. I think our little game ends here. So, tell me, thief, how do you choose to die?"

Right before Smaug's head streaks forward I yell out, "Hey!"

Smaug's head snaps towards me as a low rumble emanates from his throat.

"You..." Smaug pauses a low rumble in his voice. "I was told you were coming." Smaug speaks his voice reverberating off the walls.

"Well, here I am." I reply glancing out of the corner of my eyes to see Bilbo going after the Arkenstone.

"He's been waiting for you." Smaug adds and I narrow my eyes at him.

"Well, he can keep waiting. I want nothing to do with him."

"Like you have a choice." Smaug says as he inches closer to me.

"I choose my own destiny. I'm no one's pawn." I cry back as my skin starts to turn orange as fire emanates from within me. "I am the goddess of Elements. Daughter of Odin. Princess of Asgard. And you... you're pissing me off."

Smaug lets out a loud roar, dragon fire emanating from his throat as it passes around me. I smile as I feel nothing. His fire stops and his eyes fill with surprise.

"My turn." I say reaching forward with my hand letting the fire of my soul flow from me like a phoenix rising from the ashes.

~~~~~~~~

Thorin races through the halls after (Name), he was a fool to let her follow Bilbo. He charges with his sword out through the tunnels and stops as flames light up the walls of the tunnel. He runs out onto the same overhang Bilbo had earlier reached, then stops abruptly when he sees the mountain of treasure all around him. He breathes heavily. Just then, Bilbo runs up to him.

"You're alive!" Thorin cries out in surprise.

"Not for much longer!" Bilbo replies as he nears him.

"Where's (Name)?!" Thorin questions making Bilbo pause.

"I don't know, she was there one moment and then..." Bilbo looks away as he tries to find the right words to say.

They are both standing at the entrance to the tunnel, but Thorin is blocking Bilbo's way. They pause and look at each other for several seconds, then Thorin speaks again, more quietly.

"Then what?" Thorin inquires his anger growing. "Where is she?!"

They stare at each other for several seconds, panting heavily.

"I don't know. We have to get out. I'm sure she can take care of herself."

Bilbo tries to enter the tunnel, but Thorin swings his sword across it, blocking the entrance. He presses the blade against Bilbo, and Bilbo stumbles back, the sword still touching him. Bilbo and Thorin face each other, with the tip of Thorin's sword against Bilbo's chest.

"Thorin. Thorin!" Bilbo cries out.

"I will not leave without (Name) and the Arkenstone."

Thorin steps forward, forcing Bilbo to step back. Bilbo's eyes are open in fear, and Thorin's face is steel and blank of emotion. Suddenly, Bilbo looks off to the side, and Thorin hears a sound in that direction. He turns and sees Smaug approaching over the mountain of treasure. Smaug, recognizing Thorin, snarls. Suddenly, the remaining dwarves run out of the tunnel and face Smaug, their weapons out. Smaug roars and rushes at them; his chest and neck glow orange.

"You will burn!" Smaug cries out. Just as Smaug bellows fire at them, the dwarves and Bilbo turn and jump off the staircase. They tumble down the pile of treasure and land near the entrance to another tunnel, which they run into.

"Stay away from my friends!" Thorin hears (Name) shout and turns back to see her floating in the air.

He stares at her for a moment completely shocked at what he was now seeing.

"Thorin, Run!" She cries out as she puts herself between him and Smaug shielding him from the dragon fire.

Millions of thoughts started to race through his head. What was she? Why had she hidden this from him? Was she even who he thought she was? Whom he cared for? Who was she?

"Thorin, please, go!" she cries again as she turns to look at him her (E/C) eyes pleading with him to run.

"Not without you." He replies making her brow furrow as sadness fills her eyes.

Shaking her head, she pushes him into a room right as angrily, Smaug breathes fire in all directions. Thorin, the last one in the door, is pushed in by the force of the flames. He runs into the room at the other end of the tunnel with the back of his coat on fire, and he throws himself on the ground and rolls to extinguish the flames. He jumps back up.

He glances back the way he had come confusion and panic on his face. Shaking his head, he pushes his concerns about (Name) away as he focuses on getting his kin and Bilbo to safety.

"Come on." He calls as he starts to run forward. With Smaug roaring in the background fighting with (Name), they run.

~~~

I take a moment to hide from Smaug. My body was slowly starting to tire out. My chest heaved as my body ached from the sudden exertion of my powers. I stumble forward down a walkway as I try to find a place to take a break. Suddenly, there are footsteps. The dwarves emerge out of a tunnel and approach the stone bridge I am on. My eyes meet Thorin's, and he instantly sneaks over to me and takes me in his arms.

"Are you alright?" He questions his hand reaching to tilt my chin up.

"I'm tired." I answer honestly my body swaying.

"I have you." He replies supporting me as best as he could.

"Where to now?" Bilbo whispers to Thorin.

"The western guardroom. There may be a way out." Thorin replies escorting me forward.

"It's too high. There's no chance that way." Balin counters shaking his head.

"It's our only chance. We have to try." Thorin concludes.

"I can distract him." I offer making Thorin's grip on my body tighten.

"No, you've done enough."

Quietly, we tiptoe across the bridge, looking all about. Suddenly, a coin falls to the floor right in front of Bilbo and rings loudly. They all freeze and look at Bilbo, who frantically checks his jacket to see if some coin had been stuck in a fold. Hearing another coin fall, they look up and see Smaug crawling just above them, looking for them. He hasn't seen them. The coins that fell came from his chest and arms, where several coins and gems have embedded themselves after years of him sleeping on them. Thorin motions for them to keep moving.

We stealthily make our way to the western guardroom. Stopping occasionally to hide from Smaug. Upon reaching the guardroom Thorin calls out, "Stay close." They all stop abruptly when they see that the guardroom is full of rotted, dust- and cobweb-covered corpses. My hand shoots to my mouth as a shocked gasp escapes my lips.

"That's it, then. There's no way out." Dwalin says but my eyes are focused on the mummified remains.

It seems like a landslide, or something; has blocked the exit, trapping the dwarves in the past in the room to die.

"The last of our kin. They must have come here, hoping beyond hope. We could try to reach the Mines. We might last a few days." Balin suggests.

"No. I will not die like this. Cowering, clawing for breath. We make for the forges." Thorin decides.

"He'll see us, sure as death." Dwalin adds helping me pull my eyes from the bodies to look at him.

"Not if we split up." Thorin adds and I grimace at a sudden shot of pain in my side.

"Thorin, we'll never make it." Balin says hopelessness filling his face.

"Some of us might. Lead him to the forges. We kill the dragon. If this is to end in fire, then we will all burn together." Thorin announces and I see the light return to his kin's eyes.

"I can help." I say pushing myself to my feet.

"You're in no shape to fight." Thorin rebuts but I shake my head.

"I can distract him; give you guys a clear shot to the forge."

"I cannot ask that of you." Thorin says softly as he leans down toward my ear.

"You don't have too. I will protect you. All of you." I conclude causing worry to fill his eyes. "There's something I must tell you all." I pause for a moment unsure of how telling them my secret would go. "Where I'm from there are people with gifts, I happen to be one of those few people. You might have noticed from before, but I can control the elements. Fire, water, earth, and air. All of it bends to my will."

"That's why Smaug's fire didn't harm you." Bilbo breathes as he looks from the ground up to me.

"Fire cannot harm me. No matter how hot it is." I add as I nod. "I'm sorry I waited this long to tell you all this. I just have a history of people reacting badly when I've told them."

"I'm sorry you felt you had to hide this from us lass." Dwalin says and I feel my heart lift in my chest.

I glance over to Thorin whose eyes are filled with deep thought and I gulp down a breath of air, "Let me do this. I can distract him long enough for you all to get where you need to be."

Thorin nods and I give his arm a quick squeeze before I pull away from him and turning to our companions say, "Be careful."

"Good luck lass." Dwalin says and I nod.

Turning I head back the way we had come only to feel someone following behind me. I turn to see that it was Thorin.

"Thorin?"

"Don't die, promise me, you won't die."

I open my mouth to argue but decide against it. I lean forward and placing a kiss on his cheek say, "I'll be fine."