⧼𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚⧽

 "Gandalf, I do not know if I can do this." 

"You can." the wizard insists.

We both sit by the fireplace in the Hobbit's home as the still unconscious Hobbit rests in his arm chair. Desperately I look back to Gandalf who sits across from me "Did you not see the way he looked at me? He despises me. He knows. He must know."

"No one suspects a thing." Gandalf reassures "Which is why we will make sure that they do not have real reason to suspect a thing."

I bite my lip as my knee shakes nervously "Balin does. The way-the way he looked at me. What he said. Almost reciting the King's guard oath. He looked in my eyes and he knew Gandalf. He knows what I am. Perhaps even who I once was."

"No." Gandalf insists standing from his chair to pace "Even if he does know he will not tell. Balin holds the upmost respect for your ancestors. Even if he is one of the last."

"And what of Thorin? What of the others?" I question fearfully lowering my voice "Do they still hold respect for the people who could not slay the dragon? For Mytholonian blood?"

Warily Gandalf peers to the other room where the dwarves reside, none seemingly near enough to hear. He looks back to me regretfully "It was not the fault of the dwarves or your people. No one could have stopped Smaug's desolation."

My eyes sting with tears as the memory of the bodies falling from the sky fills my mind once more. The people fleeing the blood covered streets, and the face of the one who died saving me.

"Run Marina." she whispered "RUN!"

I wipe the memory and my tears filled eyes on my sleeve swallowing down the pain in my chest. I feel Gandalf move in close to me again before sitting beside me "You are the reason we are all here in the first place, Marina. Not Thorin or any of the others. You saught me out."

I wring my hands as my jaw clenches "Galadriel insisted upon it. The dragon was troubling you too. Had I not called upon you when I did you would have found me first instead. None of that means that I am meant to be here amongst them."

Gandalf leans in "You are the last of your people, Marina. You were one of the last born to the Mytholonian before Smaug. Fate spared you from the dragons wrath. If not for any other reason then maybe it was for this. I believe it is you and you alone to fulfill the prophecy and help take back Erebor."

Hesitating I dare ask "And what if you're wrong?" I look back at him as he sighs contemplating. 

Then, he smiles "Even if I am, that does not change the dwarves need for your help. Rather they realize it or not."

"I will go for him." I state motioning to the room where Thorin resides "I bend the knee for the King even if he will not accept it. I will go for the burglar as well."

Gandalf and I look to Bilbo as he groggily stirs in his chair. Gandalf snorts "I am sure they will all need your services."

I smirk "Hopefully it will not have to come to that. I'd hate to be killed by the very people I am swearing to protect."

Gravily the wizard replies "Neither do I." 

I nod and stand to my feet "It is not me that needs your conventioning to go. I wager it will take you all night to convince Mr. Baggins to go."

Gandalf chuckles puffing on his pipe "You know as well as any I have a knack for persuasion."

Before I leave the room I laugh over my shoulder "I am well aware."

 "Far over the Misty Mountains coldTo dungeons deep and caverns oldWe must away, ere break of day,To find our long forgotten gold.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."

In my dream I can hear Thorin's voice. Singing the sad song and tale of the lost kingdom of Erebor. The dwarves in his company singing out their haunting tune. I could see Thorin amongst the blazing trees. The Arkenstone in one hand and the ceptore of the Mytholonian elders in the other. Then, they were both gone and Thorin lay in his own blood on the ash covered ground. 

❖❖❖

We had left before the sun was completely over the Shire. As we rose on our ponies down the path I think back to Bilbo. Last night he had insisted he was not meant to be apart of the company nor have any part in burglarizing anyone. Especially a dragon.

"I told ya he wouldn't come." Dori said matter of factly to Ori "Why would Gandalf pick a little pip squeak like him and think 'yes, prime burglar material here'." 

I huff biting my tongue "Why are you so surprised? You're here too arent you?" I think only for Gandalf to be in my head as well.

"Patience Marina. Were not even 20 leagues out the door."

I grumble frowning as I look ahead until I feel a set of eyes. To my left rides the young dark haired dwarf with little to no beard, Kili, and to my right, his older blonde haired brother, Fili.

"Hello." Fili says softly with a nod.

I smirk and nod back "Hello."

Then Kili jumps in "Ello there beautiful! Whats a pretty piece like you doing with a band of squabble like us?"

I blink in surprise at his outburst and chuckle nervously "Gandalf sent for me."

"Why?" Fili questions "Not that it's bad he did but it seems you don't have much cause to be here."

I look down at the reigns in my hands "No, but, I owe a debt."

"A debt?" Fili reiterates "To whom?"

Panicking internally I can not seem to come up with a good or quick enough lie. Then his voice rings out "WAIT!"

The entire company haults behind Thorin as we all turn to look. Bilbo comes running down the path stopping before us with contract in hand "I signed it."

I smile happily to the Hobbit "I was wondering when you would join us."

He laughs breathlessly as Balin inspects his signature "I just needed to think things over a little more."

I nod sitting back in my sadle as Balin hands the contract back "Well, things seem to be in order. Welcome master Baggins to the company of Thorin Oakenshield."

Most of the dwarves cheer except Thorin who seems annoyed by it all "Give him a pony."

Despite the Hobbits protests the two young brothers grabbed him up by his arms placing him in a saddle. I laugh at the awkwardness of his riding posture as I come up next to him "Chin up Mr. Baggins, were going on an adventure."