Allie

~~~

I tuck my wings in tight and dive bomb down. Squinting and reaching out I give a flap and propel myself further down. I just manage to catch it before it hits the ground. I extend my wings rapidly and the air resistance sends me springing upwards. With long flaps I rise above the cliff edge and toss the key to Thorin.

~~~

Sam

~~~

Thorin effortlessly catches the key and turns to the door. Allie goes to make a quick circle so she can slow down.

I make a noise of excitement as he inserts it and twists. A square outline a bit taller than a dwarf instantly appears and with ease Thorin shoves the door open. That's when Allie lands and speed walks to Thorin.

"Erebor," Thorin says in a clear steady voice. Allie hugs his arm and smiles. Thorin walks in slowly with her and Balin on his heels. The rest of us move slowly to see inside.

"Thorin," Balin chokes out and Thorin places a hand on his shoulder.

"We made it," Allie whispers and beams at Balin who is close to tears.

"I know these walls. These halls. This stone," Thorin murmurs and runs a hand over the smooth wall. Thorin walks further in and I duck inside. Everything is beautifully carved.

"You remember it, Balin. Chambers filled with golden light," Thorin reminisces, looking at Balin.

"I remember," Balin confirms and nods. Looking all around I catch glimpse of a engraving upon the door. Gloin sees it too and points.

"Herein lies the seventh kingdom of Durin's folk. May the heart of the mountain unite all dwarves in defense of this home," Gloin reads. Above the engraving of the throne there's a stone carved with accents to emphasize it.

"The throne of the king," Balin says.

"And what's that above it?" Bilbo asks referring to the stone.

"The Arkenstone," Thorin replies. Allie looks at Thorin then Emily and then Bilbo gulping deeply. I remember Emily telling me about why her Allie and Bilbo are along on this trip, to get that stone.

"The Arkenstone. And what's that?" Bilbo questions.

"That, Master Burglar and Mistress Burglars is why you are here," Thorin remarks and I share a worried look with Jacob. Bilbo's eyes widen to saucers and he gapes at the dwarves. Emily darts her eyes around and Allie tightens her grip on Thorins arm. Protectively I wrap and arm around Bilbo's shoulders. Jacob grabs Bilbo's hand and squeezes it comfortingly.

"Oh yeah right we have to face a dragon for that," Allie chuckles nervously.

~~~

Lacy

~~~

Kili groans loudly clutching his leg and crushing Alex's hand. The pain has worsened for him greatly meaning him and Alex haven't much time.

"Can you not do something?" Bofur inquires to Oin and me.

"I need herbs, something to bring down his fever," Oin snaps.

"I know no elven magic," I respond.

"We have nightshade, feverfew-"

"They're no use to me. Do you have any Kingsfoil?" Oin questions cutting Bard off. Bard sets down his many bottle d herbs and stares confused.

"No, it's a weed. We feed it to the pigs," Bard says.

"Pigs?" Bofur asks then nods. "Weed? Right." Bofur looks at Kili and points. "Don't move." Then he's dashing away with Kili glaring at his leaving form.

"Hang in there Kili and Alex hang in there," I murmur and look at their fading bond connection. They've got very little time.

~~~

Emily

~~~

Balin walks us further into the mountain after Jacob and Sam manage to let Bilbo leave. Valor bless his kind soul for doing this.

"You want us to find a jewel?" Bilbo asks nervously.

"A large white jewel, yes," Balin clarifies.

"That-that's it? Only I imagine there's quite a few down there," I comment wringing my hands. If I were to die and fail Fili would have no future with me and probably no future at all.

"There is only one Arkenstone. And you'll know it when you see it," Balin vows.

"Right. Okay let's go then Gem Stealing Squad," Allie mutters and we walk on ahead a few more steps.

"In truth, lad and lassies. I do not know what you will find down there. You needn't go if you don't want to. There's no dishonor in turning back." Balin looks honest and he wears a brave face.

"No. Balin, we promised we would do this. And I think we must try," Bilbo says with a shaky voice. Balin chuckles and we stare clueless.

"It never ceases to amaze me."

"What's that?" we inquire in unison.

"The courage of hobbits." This makes me smile and I hug the old dwarf happily.

"You are a kind soul," I compliment and pull away. For comfort I grab Emily's and Bilbo's hands.

"Thank you miss Allie. Go now, with as much luck as you can muster," Balin orders gently. We nod and turn away making our way step by step. "Oh, and one more thing." We turn and nod.

"If there is in fact a um...a live dragon down there...don't waken it." Terrified we nod again and then back to taking steps down the stairs descending into the kingdom.

"Balin?" Bilbo says turning around to find no one there.

"Come one Bilbo it's time to be brave," I encourage.

"I know I just hope dragon isn't the last thing I see."

~~~

Allie

~~~

Slowly we creep down the stares till the small passage opens to a larger than life room filled with gold, precious metals, and other jewels. My breath is taken away by the sheer amount of treasure.

"That is a lot of gold," Emily breathes in shock at the shear amount.

"I agree who needs this much gold?" I say. Bilbo shrugs and knocks on a pillar.

"Hello?" he greets but shrinks back when his knock echoes loudly throughout the mountain. I glare at him.

"Bilbo we are trying not to wake the dragon remember!" I snap.

"Well he's not at home. Not at home. Good. Good, good, good," Bilbo murmurs ignoring my comment. Emily rolls her eyes and one by one we step down the stairs and into the sea of gold. I sink in to my knees in the coins when I step in.

After a minute of sifting Emily holds up a crown and puts it on giggling silently.

"Preparing for your future princess?" I tease.

"Maybe," Emily smirks. Bilbo taps my shoulder and I turn to see him holding up a large diamond.

"Is this it?"

"No it's not glowing," I respond and Bilbo carelessly tosses it aside with a huff. It hits the coins loudly and bounces away.

"Shush. Shush," Bilbo hisses after the bouncing jewel. I chuckle quietly and push aside golden armor to find a glowing diadem.

"Well this is a pretty thing and it glows. But it's not a stone," I utter and hold it up. Bilbo and Emily raise their eyebrows.

"Maybe it's the gems of starlight Thranduil told me about when I was staying with him," Emily offers shrugging. "I think he said he asked the dwarves to make it for his late wife. Queen Eleni."

"How sad I'll hang let you hang onto this for him then. The dwarves won't miss one tiara." I pass the tiara to Emily who tucks the crown into her pocket.

"Arkenstone. Arkenstone. A large, white jewel" Bilbo grumbles and digs trough coins. Emily moves across the piles to search further away and I just scan the room. "Very helpful."

"Stupid dwarves who don't know how to use adjectives for shit," I hiss and lift my wings up. In a big thrust I send myself upwards and across the treasury. I fly low scanning the piles and piles of gold.

~~~

Bilbo

~~~

I walk through the piles slowly flinching whenever there's too loud a noise and letting my hands hang low to run through the coins. Disinterested, I pick up a gold cup which triggers a coin slide which then reveals the sleeping eye of Smaug. Choking on air I back up only to be faced with his tail. Looking up I see his entire body is now unburied.

"Allie, Emily I found the dragon," I whisper yell and Allie is landing gently in front of me in an instant.

"Hide Emily," she orders. Allie's hands shake shake showing the adrenaline pumping through her body and the terror we are both feeling.

"Okay," Emily agrees and I presume she's ducked behind a pillar or buried herself in gold.

"Judging by the steam coming from his nose I assume he's alive," Allie utters. "Which is bad for us." Allie shoves me up against the large stone pillar he is half wrapped around and breathes in deeply.

"Yes."

"Move quietly," Allie guides and I take small steps forward cringing as the gold clinks together. That's when more and more coins shift and his closed eye moves forward. Allie shoves me behind a pile of gold and extends her wings. She glows slightly.

"I can be invisible," I admit. "Go fly hide I'll be fine." Then I slip the ring on and disappear. I watch as Allie gasps then looking at Smaugs slowly opening eye flies away quickly disappearing.

I stand holding my breath as the eyes opens and Smaug sniffs the air.

"Well, thief.." That voice would send shivers down anyone's spine but I am especially terrified.