Alrún opened the door and smiled. There, stood her lover. Her soon to be husband. Thorin Oakenshield. Alrún smiled.

"*Kurdûn," she said. Thorin gave a smile and opened his arms. Alrún rushed into his arms. "It has been too long, my love." She whispered. Thorin turned his head into the crook of her neck, taking in her scent, sending shivers down her spine.

"*Azyungâl," Thorin said quietly. They pulled away. Thorin cupped her face in his hands. "I have missed you so," he said. He then looked up and saw the wizard. "Gandalf. I thought you said this place would be easy to find," taking Alrún's hand, he walked into the house. "I lost my way, twice. Wouldn't have found it at all had it not been for that mark on the door." He said. Alrún helped him remove his cloak. Bilbo looked over at the door.

"Mark? There's no mark on that door, it was painted a week ago!" Bilbo shouted. Gandalf moved quickly to close the door.

"There is a mark; I put it there myself. Bilbo Baggins, allow me to introduce the leaders of our company, Thorin Oakenshield and Alrún Eníredis." Gandalf said. Bilbo looked at Alrún in slight surprise. He did not expect that this woman was also the leader. Thorin looked at Bilbo.

"So, this is the Hobbit," he said, handing his cloak to Kili. Thorin began circling Bilbo, as if assessing him. "Tell me, Mr. Baggins, have you done much fighting?" He asked. Bilbo looked at the Dwarf in slight confusion.

"Pardon me?" He asked. Alrún sighed.

"Thorin, please." She said.

"Axe or sword? What's your weapon of choice?" Thorin continued on, ignoring his lover's comment. She did not like that Thorin was questioning the Hobbit, but she also knew that it was necessary. Bilbo stood straight.

"Well, I have some skill at Conkers, if you must know, but I fail to see why that's relevant." He said. Alrún sighed and looked down, shaking her head slightly. Thorin looked back at his company.

"Thought as much. He looks more like a grocer than a burglar." He said, smiling. The dwarves all laughed. Even Alrún gave a small chuckle at this.

They all made their way back to the dinning room. Thorin ate soup, Alrún sitting to his left. She gently touched his arm.

"What news from the meeting in Ered Luin, Thorin? Did they all come?" She asked quietly. He looked at her and nodded slightly. She retracted her hand.

"Aye. Envoys from all seven kingdoms." He said. She and the other dwarves murmured their joy. Dwalin then asked the question that had been on everyone's mind;

"What do the dwarves of the Iron Hills say? Is Dain with us?" He asked. Thorin sighed and put his spoon down.

"They will not come. They want nothing to do with bringing to light Alrún's powers." he said. The dwarfs sighed and murmured in disappointment. Alrún sighed and looked down. That's what they always said. Her powers were nothing but destruction waiting to happen. He took Alrún's hand in his, squeezing it slightly. Bilbo looked around the table, slightly confused.

"What's this about powers?" He asked. Alrún sighed and looked at the Hobbit. Retelling her story. The older Dwarfs such as Oin, Gloin, Dwalin, Balin, Dori and Thorin had all heard Alrùn's story before. But for the younger Dwarfs, such as Fili, Kili, Nori and Ori, this was their first time hearing her tale. This was also the first time Bofur and Bifur had learned of the tale.

"I am not of full Dwarfish blood," she said. "My mother was an, an," she glanced at Thorin worriedly, knowing he did not exactly like the name. Thorin gave a slight smile.

"Go on, My Love. I will not hate you because of your lineage." He said. Alrún nodded and continued.

"My mother was an Elf, with magical powers. The powers to control the five elements of Water, Earth, Fire and Air. When she met my father," she glanced at the Dwarfs. "A Dwarf of the Iron Hills, they fell in love and so, gave birth to me. However, the powers of controlling all five elements was not passed down to me," she closed her eyes and concentrated. The walls of the house started to shake. The Dwarfs and Bilbo looked around in fear. Thorin gave them a look, telling them not to be afraid. The shaking stopped and Alrún opened her eyes. "The power of controlling the Element of Earth was all that was passed down to me." She said. Bilbo looked at her in shock.

"Y-you mean the shaking of the walls, that was you?" He asked. Alrún smirked a little bit and nodded.

"Aye. It was soon learned that the other powers were laying dormant inside of me. King Thror told me, when I was still young, about 77, that my Mother had said that the Arkenstone, the heart of the Mountain, was the only jewel that could unlock my other powers and my true potential." She said. Bilbo hadn't noticed this before, but Alrún wore a beautiful necklace around her neck.

The necklace ended just above Alrún's heart.

"Though she is powerful enough with her powers of controlling Earth," Thorin said, adding to what Alrún shared. "Once her powers are fully unlocked, she will be even more powerful. Powerful enough to defeat him," He said, looking at Alrún with pride and love. She smiled at him. His smile fell. "Even so, they say this quest is ours, and ours alone."

"You're going on a quest?" Bilbo questioned further. Gandalf looked at Bilbo.

"Bilbo, my dear fellow, let us have a little more light." He said. Bilbo nodded and walked off. Gandalf took a map out of his pocket. Dwalin and Thorin helped to clear the table, making room.

"Far to the East, over ranges and rivers, beyond woodlands and wastelands, lies a single solitary peak." He laid out the map. It was old and wrinkled. There was an image of a mountain with a dragon over it. Bilbo returned with a candle. He looked at the map.

"The Lonely Mountain." Bilbo said to himself, reading the map. Gloin nodded.

"Aye. Oin has read the portents, and the portents say it is time." He said.

"Ravens have been seen flying back to the mountain as it was foretold: When the birds of Yore return to Erebor, the reign of the beast will end." Oin said, further proving his Brother's point. Bilbo looked up at the mention of "the beast".

"Uh, what beast?" He asked, slightly concerned.

"Well that would be a reference to Smaug the Terrible, chiefest and greatest calamity of our age. Airborne fire-breather, teeth like razors, claws like meathooks, extremely fond of precious metals–" Bofur explained. Bilbo nodded, cutting Bofur off.

"Yes, I know what a dragon is." Bilbo said. Ori stood up, slamming his fists on the table.

"I'm not afraid! I'm up for it. I'll give him a taste of the Dwarfish iron right up his jacksie!" He shouted. Alrún smiled slightly at Ori's determination and bravery. Several dwarfs began to shout in agreement.

"Sit down!" Dori said, pulling his younger brother down to sit again.

"The task would be difficult enough with an army behind us," Balin said. "But we number just fourteen," he glanced up at Alrún. "No offence, lass, but not fourteen of the best, nor brightest." He said. Alrún smiled at her friend.

"No offence taken, Balin." She said. At that point, the other dwarves started objecting, saying things like, "Hey, who are you calling dim?" "Watch it!", and "No!"

"What did he say?" Oin, who could not hear well, asked. Fili finally cut the chatter.

"We may be few in number, but we're fighters, all of us, to the last dwarf!" Fili said, slamming his fist onto the table. Alrún nodded and smiled at her nephew.

"And you forget, we have a wizard in our company. Gandalf will have killed hundreds of dragons in his time." Kili said, joining in. Gandalf shook his head.

"Oh, well, now, uh, I-I-I wouldn't say that, I- -"

"How many, then?" Dori asked, cutting off Gandalf.

"Uh, what?" Gandalf asked.

"Well, how many dragons have you killed?" Dori asked again. Gandalf embarrassedly started coughing on his pipe smoke. "Go on, give us a number!" Dori shouted angrily. This spurred the other dwarves to jump to their feet, arguing about the number of dragons Gandalf has killed. Alrún sighed and closed her eyes. Bilbo tried to stop them from arguing, but his words were nothing compared to the volume of the arguing dwarfs. When she had enough of it, Alrún stood up in slight anger.

"*Shazara!" She shouted. She sat down and looked to Thorin, nodding. He now stood.

"If we have read these signs, do you not think others will have read them too? Rumours have begun to spread. The dragon Smaug has not been seen for 60 years. Eyes look east to the Mountain, assessing, wondering, weighing the risk. Perhaps the vast wealth of our people and the very stone that can unlock Alrún's powers now lies unprotected. Do we sit back while others claim what is rightfully ours? Or do we seize this chance to take back Erebor? Du Bekâr! Du Bekâr!*" He shouted. The dwarfs started cheering. Alrún smiled. Her lover always had a way of rallying others when the time was right.

"You forget the front gate is sealed," Balin said. They fell silent yet again. "There is no way into the mountain." He said, and looked down sadly. Gandalf looked at Balin with a glint in his eyes.

"That, my dear Balin, is not entirely true." He said. Twiddling his fingers, Gandalf produced a Dwarfish key, ornately wrought. Thorin looked at it in wonder.

"How came you by this?" He asked.

"It was given to me by your father, by Thrain, for safekeeping. It is yours now." Gandalf said. He handed the key to Thorin as everyone looked on in wonder. Alrún raised her hand. The key twitched slightly in Thorin's hand and flew to her. She caught it, looking at it in wonder and awe. Oh, she also forgot to mention that she can only slightly control metal. She handed it back to Thorin.

"If there is a key, there must be a door." Fili said. Gandalf pointed at runes on his map with his pipe.

"These runes speak of a hidden passage to the lower halls." Gandalf said. Kili leaned in, smiling.

"There's another way in!" He said. Gandalf shrugged his shoulders.

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

"That's why we need a burglar." Ori pointed out. Bilbo nodded in agreement.

"Hm, A good one, too. An expert, I'd imagine." He said. Gloin looked pointedly at Bilbo.

"And are you?" He asked. Bilbo looked around, as all eyes were on him. He then looked at Gloin.

"Am I what?" He asked. Oin smiled.

"He said he's an expert! Hey hey!" He said, laughing. The other dwarfs started laughing along, some in happiness at the news, others in disbelief. Bilbo looked around and shook his head.

"M–Me? No, no, no, no, no. I'm not a burglar; I've never stolen a thing in my life." He said. Balin nodded slightly.

"I'm afraid I have to agree with Mr. Baggins. He's hardly burglar material." He said. Bilbo smiled and nodded in agreement. Dwalin narrowed his eyes and looked at the Hobbit.

"Aye, the wild is no place for gentlefolk who can neither fight nor fend for themselves." He said. Bilbo smiled again, nodding. This spurred another argument to ensue among the company.

"Enough!" Gandalf said. He rose to his full height, casting darkness over the group. "If I say Bilbo Baggins is a burglar, then a burglar he is," he said, speaking in his "powerful voice". The group stared at him in awe, including Bilbo. Alrún sighed, looking down at the table then up at the wizard again. Gandalf looked around the room, returning to his regular self. " Hobbits are remarkably light on their feet. In fact, they can pass unseen by most if they choose. And while the dragon is accustomed to the smell of dwarf, the scent of hobbit is all but unknown to him, which gives us a distinct advantage," he sat down and looked at Thorin and Alrún. "You both asked me to find the fifteenth member of this company, and I have chosen Mr. Baggins. There's a lot more to him than appearances suggest, and he's got a great deal more to offer than any of you know, including himself." He said, looking at Bilbo. The Hobbit looked back at the Wizard in confusion. Alrún looked at Gandalf.

"I for one, trust your judgment, my friend. If you say that Mr. Baggins is a burglar, then I believe you," she said. Gandalf nodded his head to her in gratitude. He looked to Thorin. Alrún gently placed her hand on his, looking at him. "Thorin?" She asked quietly. He looked from his lover to the wizard. Gandalf rose his eye brows slightly.

"You must trust me on this." He said. Thorin looked down a little in thought. He then looked up and nodded.

"Very well. We will do it your way." He said. Bilbo raised his hand.

"No, no, no." He started to immediately protest. Alrún looked to Balin.

"Balin, if you would be so kind as to give Mr. Baggins the contract?" She requested. Bilbo started to protest again. Balin handed him the contract.

"It's just the usual summary of out-of-pocket expenses, time required, remuneration, funeral arrangements, so forth." He said. Bilbo took the contract reluctantly. He looked at Balin.

"Funeral arrangements?" He asked slightly concerned. He stepped a few feet back to read the contract. Thorin leaned toward Gandalf.

"Alrún and I cannot guarantee his safety." He said. Alrún looked at Thorin and narrowed her eyes slightly in confusion. Gandalf nodded.

"Understood." He said.

"Nor will we be responsible for his fate." Thorin said again. Alrún sighed and gave him a slightly disappointed look.

"Thorin." She said quietly. Gandalf frowned slightly, but then smiled.

"Agreed." He said, nodding to Thorin. Alrún sighed slightly, then turned to watch Bilbo, who was reading parts of the contract out loud.

"Terms: Cash on delivery, up to but not exceeding one fourteenth of total profit, if any. Seems fair. Eh, Present company shall not be liable for injuries inflicted by or sustained as a consequence thereof including but not limited to lacerations ... evisceration," he looked pointedly at the company. "Incineration?" He asked. Bofur nodded.

"Oh, aye, he'll melt the flesh off your bones in the blink of an eye." He said. Alrún glared slightly at the Dwarf.

"Bofur, don't make this any worse." She warned. Bilbo lowered the contract, looking a little breathless. Balin looked at him.

"You all right, laddie?" Balin asked. Bilbo nodded, then bent over, breathing in and out slowly.

" Uh, yeah...Feel a bit faint." He said. At this point, Bofur stood up.

"Think furnace with wings." He said. Alrún looked at him.

"Bofur! You're not helping!" She said. Bilbo started breathing more quickly.

"Air, I–I–I need air." He said, still leaning over. Bofur continued on, ignoring Alrún's words.

"Flash of light, searing pain, then Poof! you're nothing more than a pile of ash." He said. The others stared at him as Bilbo started breathing heavily, trying to compose himself. He stood up straight, his lips pulled into a thin line.

"Hmmmm. Nope." He fell to the floor.

"Mr. Baggins!" Alrún shouted. She rushed to his side and felt his pulse. Gandalf looked at Bofur.

"Ah, very helpful, Bofur." He said with sarcasm. Alrún sighed with relief. She looked to Gandalf.

"He just fainted." She said.

After helping Gandalf bring Bilbo to a chair, Alrún brewed him a cup of tea before leaving the two to talk. She stood next to Thorin, who was holding her hand in his. Balin stood in front of them.

"Can you promise that I will come back?" She heard Bilbo ask.

"No. And if you do, you will not be the same." Gandalf replied. Bilbo looked down, drawing his lips into a thin line.

"That's what I thought," he said quietly. He stood up and set his tea aside. He looked at the wizard. "Sorry, Gandalf, I can't sign this. You've got the wrong Hobbit." He walked away down the hall. Gandalf sighed. The three watched the Hobbit. Alrún sighed and looked down. She started playing slightly with Thorin's fingers, an action that regularly helped her relax. Thorin smiled slightly and kissed her head.

"It appears we have lost our burglar," Balin said, causing the couple to look up at the older Dwarf. "Probably for the best. The odds were always against us. After all, what are we? Merchants, miners, tinkers, toy-makers," he gave a dry chuckle. "Hardly the stuff of legend." He said. Alrún smiled gently at him.

"There are a few warriors amongst us." She said. Balin gave her a playful glare.

"Old warriors." He said. Thorin looked at Balin.

"I will take each and every one of these dwarves over an army from the Iron Hills," Thorin said. Alrún looked at him. " For when I called upon them, they came. Loyalty. Honor," he looked at Alrún and smiled. He brought her hand up to his mouth, kissing it. "Love. A willing heart. I can ask no more than that." He said, looking at Balin again. Balin sighed.

"You don't have to do this. You have a choice." He said. Alrún nodded.

"He's right," she said. Thorin looked at her. His blue eyes bore into hers. "You've done honorably by our people. You have built a new life for us in the Blue Mountains, a life of peace and plenty. A life that is worth more," he looked away. She cupped his cheek, gently pulling his face to look at her again. "Than all the gold in Erebor." She said. She dropped her hand. Thorin held up the key.

"From my grandfather to my father, this has come to me. They dreamt of the day when the dwarves of Erebor would reclaim their homeland and the day when you would unlock your powers. There is no choice, *Uzfakuh. Not for me." He said. Alrún sighed and nodded. She turned to face him, taking both his hands in hers.

"Then we are with you, My Love," she said. She gently pressed her forehead to his, giving his lips a peck. "We will see it done."

A little while later, the Dwarfs gathered in Bilbo's living room. Thorin stood by the fire, leaning slightly against the mantle. Alrún had one hand in his, and her other hand resting against his bicep. The Dwarfs began humming. A tune they were all familiar with. Soon enough, Thorin began to sing, looking deep into the depths of the fire.

"Far over the misty mountains cold, To dungeons deep and caverns old," Thorin began. Alrún joined in, tears filling her eyes. The memories of the day she and her people lost their home to the dragon were still fresh in her mind. 

"We must away ere break of day, To find our long-forgotten gold." Her voice sounded like honey, smooth and flowing. But the words spoke of sorrow, and pain. Soon enough, all the Dwarfs joined in.

The pines were roaring on the height,

The winds were moaning in the night.

The fire was red, it flaming spread,

The trees like torches blazed with light.

They then got ready to sleep. For tomorrow, they would rise early to move towards the East, with, or with out Bilbo.

* Kurdûn = Man of my Heart

* Azyungâl = My Love

* Shazara! = Silence!

* Du Bekâr! Du Bekâr! = To arms! To arms!

* Uzfakuh = My Greatest Joy

~~~~

//I love the dynamic between Thorin and Alrún. I honestly think that she is the voice of reason for him and the other dwarfs, which is something I didn't really think about when I was writing this. Anyway, I hope you like the second chapter. If you did, please consider voting and leaving a comment.//