I dedicate this chapter to lotrfan901! She has been helping me so much and I am so thankful for her! :) Love you mellon nîn! <3

Aerlinniel POV

As I sit feeling sorry for all of the people in Laketown, and hoping that those I care about are alright, I feel a hand on my shoulder. It took me a moment to realize it was Bilbo.

"Are you all right, Aerlinniel?" Bilbo asks me softly.

"To be honest, I do not know." I tell him.

"Here, come with me. I know something that will make you happy." He says and I stand up and follow him, wondering where he could be taking me.

After a few moments of walking, I hear two familiar heartbeats. A big smile comes across my face.

"Mallory? Imryll?" I say.

"Aerlinniel!" They both shout at the same time and I am engulfed in a big hug from both of them.

"We did not know what happened to you. We tried looking for you and when we did not find you we thought that maybe you had escaped and went to the mountain." Mallory tells me.

And Imryll adds, "But when we found the Dwarves and Bilbo, you weren't there."

"What happened?" Mallory questions.

I give a sign and explain, "After I was hit on the back of the head and passed out, I woke up not knowing where I was. I tried listening for your heartbeats, but I did not hear either of yours. I felt along the walls and noticed that I was in a cell. I was there for a while when all of the sudden I heard someone say my name. It was Legolas."

Mallory gasps, "Legolas found you?"

"Yes, he did." I smile. "And he got the keys and got me out of there. He wanted me to go with him, but I told them that I could not. And before I left, I--"

"You what?" Imryll questions.

"I-- I kissed him on the cheek." I say quietly.

"You did?" Mallory asks and I nod my head. "And what did he do?"

"I do not know, I ran off right after I did for I was afraid of what his reaction would be." I tell her truthfully.

"I would bet that he was honored to have the Lady Aerlinniel kiss his cheek." Imryll says and I give a small laugh.

"Yeah, I don't know. I cannot believe I even did that in the first place."

"I will say, it was very bold. I am very proud of you for doing that. I feel like you and Legolas are meant for each other." Mallory tells me.

"Love is one of the most important things in the world. And it doesn't matter who it is, if two people truly love each other, then they deserve to be together." Imryll says, there is something in her voice I just cannot place what.

"Do you know something that we don't?" Mallory asks.

"Uh, yes actually. So, Aerlinniel, you know how you had me go look for the Dwarves when we were in the Woodland-Realm?"

"Yes, what about it?" I question.

"Well, when I found them an Elleth with red hair--" She starts to explain but I interrupt.

"I apologise for interrupting, but I just wanted you to know the Elleth you are talking about is Tauriel. You may continue, sorry again."

She continues, "It is alright. So, what in was saying was that when I found them, Tauriel was talking with Kili. You could tell in their eyes that they fancied each other. She sat down on a step and continued listening to him. That's when I came to find you."

"Really? Wow, I never would have thought Tauriel would take a liking to a Dwarf."

"Do you have something against it?" Imryll asks, almost harshly.

"No, not at all." I answer. "I think it is wonderful. Like you said, if two people truly love each other, they deserve to be together."

"Oh, sorry if I sounded harsh. It's just that--"

"It is alright, I understand." I tell her with a smile. I know that she loves Thorin. Her heartbeat quickens whenever she is around him.

"How are you holding up? You know, with everything that has been going on?" Mallory asks me.

"I think I am alright. Especially now that I am back with you all."

"That is good to hear. If you ever need anything, we're here." Imryll tells me.

"Thank you. It is very appreciated. And know that I am always here for you both as well." I smile at them and think to myself,

I love my friends.

Bilbo POV

~A while later~

I am walking through Erebor with Aerlinniel. She is asking me questions about what it looks like in here and I am doing my best to describe it.

"There are so many gold coins. There are hills of them all through here."

"What about the jewels and gems?" She asks.

"They are so many different colors, shapes and sizes. Um, I want to tell you something. But you cannot tell anyone, especially Thorin. At least for now." I say to her.

"Alright."

"Open your hands." I say and place the Arkenstone in her hands. "This is the Arkenstone." I tell her and she gasps. "I am afraid of what it would do to Thorin if I were to give it to him, that is why I haven't yet."

"That is very wise Bilbo. There must be a sickness upon this treasure. It could make him worse then he already is." She says and we both are silent for a moment. "What does it look like?"

"It is the most beautiful gem I have ever seen. The light reflects off of it showing so many colors. I only wish you could see it." I tell her. She smiles at me and hands it back. I hide it in my coat.

She then gasps.

"What? What is it?" I question.

"It's Bofur, Oin, Fili, and Kili! They are here." She tells me and sure enough I look up to see them coming down the stairs.

"WAIT! WAIT!" I shout at them.

"It's Bilbo and Aerlinniel!" Oin says.

"They're alive!" Bofur exclaims.

I run up to them, Aerlinniel close behind, and I tell them, "Stop! Stop! Stop! You need to leave. We all need to leave."

"We only just got here." Bofur states.

"I have tried talking to him, but he won't listen." I say.

"What do you mean, laddie?" Oin asks.

"THORIN." I says frantically.

"Bilbo, calm down." Aerlinniel says to me.

I continue, "Thorin. Thorin. He's been out there for days. He doesn't sleep. He barely eats. He's not been himself, not at all. It's this- It's this place. I think a sickness lies on it."

"Sickness? What kind of sickness?" Kili questions and Fili walks past us.

I run after him, trying to stop him.

"Fili. Fili. Fili!" I call his name.

As we continue heading down, we round a corner, and they stop short at the sight of the treasure, heaped so high over the floor of the cavern that the ground is barely visible. As they stare, I see Thorin walk slowly out of a doorway. He is dressed in ornate robes and covered in jewelry.

"Gold. Gold beyond measure. Beyond sorrow and grief." Thorin says, he seems to be talking to himself.

Thorin then looks up and sees us standing there.

"Behold, the great treasure hoard of Thror." He welcomes and flings something high into the air to where we are standing. And Fili catches it. It is a giant bloodred jewel.

"Welcome, my sister's sons, to the kingdom of EREBOR."

Gandalf POV

Radagast and I have finally arrived at Rhosgobel.

I quickly get up and tell Radagast, "I need a horse!"

"What? Gandalf, where are you going?" He asks.

"To warn Erebor. They have no idea what is coming. I saw them with my own eyes, rank upon rank of Moria-orcs. You must summon our friends, bird and beast. The battle for the mountain is about to begin."

~~~~~~

This is the last chapter! O.o But, don't worry, the sixth book will be out soon! I really hope that you guys have enjoyed this book! I will let you know when the sixth book is out! :)

Love you my elves from the realm of llamas,

~Ellethwen <3