When Will This Be Over?

I sat up and saw Bilbo sleeping. Everyone was inside of the Mountain and were taking a nap. I laid back down and sighed.

"When will this be over?" I complained aloud. But it was quiet enough that Bilbo and the dwarves didn't wake up. I waited for something to happen. Then I got an idea but I felt bad for Bilbo. But what if I needed this for some important occasion? So I took the advantage.

"What happened?" I groaned loudly. Bilbo quickly sat up and came to my side. The dwarves stayed sleeping.

"Are you okay?" he yawned. I wanted to have a little fun with him.

"Were you sleeping, Bilbo?!" I asked surprisingly.

"No! Of course not! I was just resting with... my eyes closed. Okay, you caught me! But are you okay?" Bilbo asked.

"Yes, I am. But I'm going to need your help," I explained.

"What is it?! Name it and I'll be happy to help," he offered.

"I need you to keep talking to me," I explained.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"Keep talking to me no matter what! And make sure I'm answering you!" I said quickly. A ray of light appeared and was growing brighter.

"Okay, I will! But I don't understand! Why do you want me to do this?!" he asked faintly. I was already gone. But when I opened my eyes, everything looked different.

"What happened?" I thought.

"What do you mean? I haven't said anything yet!" I heard Bilbo say. I looked to my left and saw that I was back in Dol Guldur.

"How am I here? But I'm talking to Bilbo?" I thought.

"Fawnabelle, what are you talking about?! You haven't left the Lonely Mountain! What's wrong with you?" he asked.

"Gandalf! Where are you?" I said aloud.

"I'm right here, Fawnabelle," he said. I turned around and ran to hug him. He hugged me.

"Fawnabelle?! Can you hear me?" Bilbo said.

"Yes, I can hear you. Ask me questions constantly," I thought.

"Where is everyone else, Gandalf? Did they leave? What happened with those nine wraiths?" I asked. Meanwhile, I was answering Bilbo's questions in my head.

"Yes, the others left. They are all well. Wraiths? What are those? Oh! You mean those nine beings, don't you? Well, we fought them off. They're gone now. How are you feeling?" Gandalf asked.

"I'm talking to Bilbo right now. I figured out that if I think in my mind, I can talk to the person at the other destination. So when I went back to the Lonely Mountain I asked Bilbo to continuously ask me questions and when I think of the answers, he hears them. But it's a little difficult so that's why I have to speak and think slower than I usually would," I explained.

"Remarkable! I'm glad you're getting used to it. We'll figure this out together. I'm so relieved I won't have to wait to ask you questions until you come back," Gandalf sighed.

"Me too. It was frustrating me so much. I'm glad I found a way. I'll let you know when I'm beginning to transfer again. But I'm not sure if I can walk in both locations. Let me try," I explained.

"Bilbo? Can you help me up please?" I thought.

"Am I allowed to?" he asked.

"Yes," I laughed mentally. I thought of standing up.

"Tell me if I'm going to crash into a wall, okay?" I asked Bilbo.

"Okay," he agreed. I thought of walking to my left slowly.

"You're getting close to a wall," he said. I thought of turning around and stopped.

"Gandalf, can we walk around for a little bit? I want to see if I can multi-task," I asked.

"Of course," he agreed. We started walking to the exit of Dol Guldur.

"Can you assist me down the slope, Bilbo?" I thought.

"Um, sure," Bilbo said uncomfortably. He held his arm out and I thought of putting my arm through his. Bilbo adjusted it.

"I'm doing it!" I said and thought excitedly. Gandalf smiled at me and Bilbo didn't reply. It felt good to be partially normal again.

It's HIM

The light faded away. But I was still in Dol Guldur. We were all still there. Gandalf came to me.

"Did you see that?" I asked.

"Yes, we all did. But it wasn't the same ones you had," he answered. I heard a voice. It was mumbling something horrible. My ears started to burn. 

"Didn't I already go through this?" I thought. I covered my ears and groaned; the pain was more intense. I covered my ears with my hands. Suddenly, my hands felt pierced. I screamed in pain and closed my eyes. It was so real. It was ten times more painful than before. I looked up and saw something. It was floating!

"What is that?!" I asked in terror.

"It's him," Galadriel answered. He waved his hand and nine beings came out of nowhere. I pulled out an arrow and got ready to shoot. But Galadriel pushed my bow down gently.

"Only specific swords can pierce them. Try not to get killed, my dear hobbit. We're going to need you," she said calmly. I put my arrow back in my quiver and stepped back. I watched them fight the nine off when I realized something.

"The nine are... THE NINE! Nine men doomed to die! That's why ordinary arrows can't do anything. I understand now! But if they're the nine, that means they have... Morgul blades! Okay, I can't get myself stabbed or I'll end up like Frodo. I wish I could help them with something. I wish they had super powers!" I thought. I looked to them and kept wishing. I saw them glow! Really, I did! All five of them: Elrond, Galadriel, Saruman, Gandalf, and Radagast!

"HOW DID I DO THAT?! WHAT KIND OF HERB DID GANDALF GIVE ME?" I thought. The Nine suddenly disappeared. Another light flashed and I was on my back on the floor.

I'm Caught with an Unusual Case

"What happened?"

"We don't know! She just fell to the ground."

"How did it happen?"

"We didn't get to figure it out! She collapsed before we could talk about it!"

"What's going on?" I asked. I looked around and saw Elrond, Galadriel, and Saruman with Gandalf and Radagast.

"Fawnabelle! Can you hear me? Are you alright?" Gandalf asked.

"Yes, I think so. Maybe a little dizzy but I think I'll be fine. Did you see that light?" I asked.

"No. What are you talking about? What did you see?" Galadriel asked.

"First, I saw a light and then all I saw was white. I saw five people fighting with nine ghost-like beings. The five were glowing and then I heard a voice. It was terrifying! My ears burned from the sound of it. I covered my ears to try to shield the voice but it felt like it pierced my hands and ears. But it all vanished! I was back in the tunnel where Bilbo was finishing his conversation with Smaug. We ran from the dragon's flames and stumbled outside. Then the light came back and I was surrounded in white. And here I am back in Dol Guldur," I explained. They looked at each other in curiosity and confusion.

"I got it! The herb you gave to her, Gandalf! Did it have side effects?" Elrond asked.

"Not that I know of; Radagast gave it to me," Gandalf said. They turned to Radagast.

"I had no clue it had any side effects! But how could she be here and at the Lonely Mountain?" Radagast asked.

"You don't think-" Elrond said.

"No! It's impossible! How can an herb have an effect like that? No. There must be a reasonable explanation for this," Saruman interrupted.

"That is reasonable and it is possible. It hasn't happened before but I'm sure she can manage. I know she can," Galadriel protested.

"I suppose," Saruman replied.

"If it can be granted then there must be an antidote," Elrond thought aloud.

"Yes, perhaps it can be altered," Radagast confirmed.

"What do I have? What did it do to me? What can I do that's unusual?" I asked.

"Being in two places at once," Gandalf said.

"That... is... AWESOME! But I can control it, right? It's getting a little painful," I explained.

"Yes of course! But we have to put our heads together and figure out how," Elrond said.

"Good. But how do I stay in one place right now?" I asked.

"Well, I suppose you'll have to stay with us for a while. Until we figure it out that is," Gandalf explained. A bright light came.

"Oh no! Not again!" I sighed. But it wasn't the light.

Where Am I?

All I saw was white, white around me, white under me.

"What's happening?!" I asked aloud fearfully. I heard a whirring noise like wind. 

"Where am I?!" 

"Fawnabelle?! Is that you?!"

"Who is this?" I opened my eyes and looked around myself. I was in a courtyard.

"What is this place?" I asked. I turned around and saw Radagast. Birds were fluttering and tweeting around him and me.

"Dol Guldur. But how did you get here?" he asked as he helped me stand up.

"I don't know. Can you help me figure it out? I'm so confused," I said quickly.

"Calm down, Fawnabelle. We'll figure it out together," a familiar voice said.

"Gandalf!" I ran and hugged him. He laughed and hugged me in return.

"But it will have to wait, my dear hobbit," Gandalf said.

"Why? What's going on?" I asked.

"Well, it's a little complicated. But we're waiting on a few others to get here," they explained. A bright flash blinded my eyes and I fell to the ground. 

"Fawnabelle!" they shouted. But it sounded muffled. I twisted and turned. I couldn't move. I saw something in the distance and it came towards me. It was a scene happening. There were nine men that looked like ghosts. And there were five others glowing brightly that were fighting the nine off. Then there was an evil voice that was mumbling something horrible. My ears burned from that voice. I covered them and they felt pierced. Then everything went dim and I was back in the tunnel in the Lonely Mountain. I shook my head; it felt like a dream but it was so real.

"Well, I must not keep Your Excellence from napping. Ponies do take some hunting and catching and so do burglars!" Bilbo said. He took off his ring when he entered the tunnel and ran passed me.

"Run!" he whispered. It got stuffy and hot so I figured that would be Smaug's fiery flames. I ran as fast as I could and passed Bilbo. We nearly got roasted. We fell on the 'doorstep' and almost crashed into Thorin. They asked lots of questions but I couldn't answer any. My head was hurting. The blinding light came again. And in a flash, I was back in Dol Guldur.

The Conversation Continues...

Bilbo was doing a good enough job keeping himself alive. But the conversation kept going on and on.

"Very well, O Barrel-rider! Perhaps your pony was named Barrel and perhaps not. But I did eat six ponies last night and they were nice and fat. You may walk unseen but you certainly did not walk all the way here. In return for my delicious meal I will give you a piece of advice: do not bother making friends with those dwarves!" Smaug said.

"Dwarves?!" Bilbo asked in pretended surprise.

"Don't assume that I am clueless! I know very well the taste and smell of dwarf. If you think I can eat a dwarf-ridden pony and not know it, you are terribly wrong! You'll end up in a bad place if you are with such friends, Thief Barrel-rider! And I don't mind if you can go and tell them so for me either," the dragon huffed. He was too proud to tell Bilbo but I knew at that moment that he didn't recognize hobbit smell. And was I glad!

"I am guessing that you received a great price for the cup you took last night? Nothing? Well, that's dwarves for you! And I suppose they are huddled outside while you are doing the dangerous work. And they told you you will get a fair share? You will be lucky enough to leave here alive for one matter," he continued. Now Smaug had brought up a valid point. Bilbo was doing the most dangerous and risking part of this adventure. And he was getting a reward for his help. I began to feel that we had gotten ourselves somewhere we did not belong.

"Come on, Fawnabelle! This isn't like you! You have faith in Bilbo and you're here right now for a reason. You can't be afraid and have faith at the same time. So, what are you going to choose?" I asked myself.

"Faith! Come on, Bilbo. You can do it!" I muttered.

"You don't know everything, O Smaug the Mighty! Gold alone did not bring us here," Bilbo said bravely.

"Ha! You have admitted the 'us'! Why not simply say 'us fourteen' and be over with, Mister Lucky Number? Well, I'm glad you are not wasting all of your time for my gold. I don't know if you had thought of this yet but, even if you could take my gold bit by bit, you could not get it very far. It isn't much use in the forest or the mountainside,is it? Had you never taken another thought on the catch? A fourteenth share in the treasure or something like that? Those were the terms, were they not? Oh! But what about delivery? Cartage? What about armed guards and tolls?" Smaug laughed. 

"I tell you, O Smaug! Gold was only the afterthought! We came over hill and under hill to this mountain for revenge. Surely, O Smaug the excessively wealthy, your success has made you some terrible enemies," spoke Bilbo. Smaug laughed evilly and loudly. It was a scarier sound than the looks of a Mirkwood spider! I closed my eyes and felt something unusual, like dizziness and walking backwards with my eyes closed. I sat down and rested but a blinding light appeared. Then I realized I wasn't in the tunnel anymore!

Bilbo Starts A Conversation with Smaug

I waited for something to happen. Smaug didn't look asleep to me. I was worried about Bilbo. Suddenly, Bilbo was next to me but kept his ring on.

"He's not sleeping! What am I going to do Fawn?" Bilbo whispered.

"Whatever you were supposed to, Bilbo," I whispered back. Bilbo left but then we shrunk down as we heard a deep voice speak.

"Welcome, thief! I know you are here for I feel, smell, and hear your breath. Come and help yourself! There is still plenty to spare," he said. I got very frightened but stayed where I was. I knew Bilbo wouldn't leave so neither would I. Smaug had tried to lure Bilbo in but he didn't win.

"No thank you, O Smaug the Magnificent! I did not come to take your treasure but to have a look at your tremendous self. I did not believe how great the tales said about you,"Bilbo replied.

"Do you believe now?" said Smaug. He sounded somewhat complimented but I was sure he didn't believe it.

"Surely, the stories and poems come to nothing compared to the reality of your dazzling self, Smaug the Chiefest of Calamities," Bilbo answered.

"You are very polite for a liar and a thief. You appear to be familiar with my name, but I don't remember smelling you before. Who are you? And where do you come from, might I ask?" the dragon asked. 

"Yes, you may! I come from under a hill. My paths have led over and under the many hills. Through the air also my path has been made. I am the one who walks unseen," Bilbo riddled.

"I can believe that. But that is not your normal name," Smaug replied.

"I am the clue-finder, the web-cutter, and the stinging fly. I was chosen to be the lucky number," Bilbo continued.

"Flattering titles! But they will not get you anywhere," Smaug sneered.

"I am he that buries my friends alive by drowning them, but draws them alive from the water. I came from the end of a bag, although no bag went over me," Bilbo went on.

"That doesn't sound so commendable," the dragon scoffed. I was starting to get uncomfortable. I didn't know where Bilbo was but it wasn't getting out of hand so I stayed put.

"I am the friend of bears and the guest of eagles. I am the Ringwinner and the Luck-wearer. I am the Barrel-rider," Bilbo said cheerfully.

"That sounds much better! But don't let your imagining get away from you!" Smaug snickered. He did not understand all of this but, of course, we do! They were all of his, well OUR, adventures.

"What's going to happen now? Smaug can't stay occupied forever!" I thought.

I Wait in the Dark for Bilbo

The next morning, the dwarves weren't so afraid anymore. Actually, they had the audacity to blame Bilbo for taking the cup and upsetting Smaug! I got upset but slightly more to the angry side.

"What else was he supposed to do?! He couldn't have killed Smaug! No offense, Bilbo," I said.

"No it's true! Fawnabelle is right. I'm not a warrior. I couldn't have killed Smaug even if I wanted to! If there's anyone to complain about something, it should be me! You should have brought five hundred burglars instead of just one if you wanted me to take all of that treasure. It would take hundreds of years to remove all of those riches. And I would have to be fifty times bigger and Smaug would have to be as tame as a rabbit!" Bilbo explained angrily. 

"Begging your pardon, Mister Baggins. What are you suggesting we are to do?" the dwarves asked.

"I have no idea at the moment if you're referring to your treasure. That is going to depend on if we can get rid of the dragon. And that would need an exceedingly amount of luck which we currently do not have. Getting rid of dragons is not in my line at all and I personally do not have any more hope for our success of this journey. Oh, do I solely wish to be safe at home!" Bilbo sighed.

"Never mind the treasure! What are we going to do today?" Thorin asked.

"Well, I suppose the smartest thing to do is stay where we are for the moment. During the day, we can attempt to go out and have some fresh air. Maybe as the time goes, one or two of us could go back to our original stores by the river and replenish our supplies. But everyone should stay inside the tunnel by night. I have my ring and I will offer to go down the tunnel again and see what HE is up to. 'Every worm has its weak spot' as my father used to say. Though I am positive it was not from his personal experience," he whispered. 

The dwarves accepted thankfully and I noticed that they had learned to respect Bilbo. I was glad they didn't treat him like a doorbell anymore. They wouldn't call him to do something and then tell him to leave. He wasn't just following the crowd anymore. Now Bilbo was the leader of the adventure and he began to feel good about himself. He was more confident and less fearful of the unknown. And he didn't let it go to his head either. He started having ideas and back-up plans that he would act upon if something should happen. About midday, he began to get ready to go down the tunnel once again.

"Do you know anything about taming dragons, Fawnabelle?" he asked.

"Um... I don't think so, Bilbo. I've never confronted a dragon before. I wonder if it's the same as a lizard? But I don't think we should take any chances," I answered.

"You're right. Let's go," Bilbo sighed. He knew I would follow so he didn't bother to ask me. I followed him down the tunnel and stopped before the opening came. I was suspicious of Smaug sleeping.

"I'll wait here, Bilbo. I don't like the look of him sleeping like that. Something isn't right. Be careful, Bilbo," I said.

"I will. If anything happens, you go on ahead without me," he whispered. I nodded and he slipped on his ring. I watched carefully in the darkness where I couldn't be seen.

Bilbo and I Find Smaug

As we walked further down, it began to feel hot and stuffy.

"Is it getting hot or is it just me?" I asked in whispers.

"It's hot, Fawnabelle. And I don't think it could be a fire," Bilbo whispered in reply.

"Then what are you suggesting it is?" I asked. He was going to answer but instead he put his arm across my chest to stop me. I had almost walked over the edge of a staircase.

"That was a close one," I sighed quietly. He nodded.

"I'm suggesting that it's coming from him," Bilbo finished. I gasped at the enormous heaps of riches. And most of all, I gasped at the sleeping Smaug. He was humongous! Much bigger than I had imagined.

"Okay, what do we do next?" I asked.

"I'm going to put on my ring and you're going to stay right here, Fawnabelle," he explained quietly.

"Fine," I sighed. We held our breath as Smaug let out a loud snore. But he remained in his slumber and kept snoozing away. We breathed again and Bilbo slipped on his ring. He became invisible and walked silently down the stairs. I waited there, for what seemed like hours, and soon he came back with a two-handled cup in his hands.

"Okay, let's go!" Bilbo whispered. He kept his ring on and we speed-walked to Balin. Bilbo took off his ring before we reached the door.

"Well done, Master Burglar!" Balin said. Bilbo and I sat down against what was left of the wall and closed our eyes. I was surprisingly tired. I was drifting into a beautiful sleep when the ground shook. I stood up quickly and we heard roaring.

"The door! Into the tunnel! Quick!" Bilbo cried.

"Bombur and Bofur are down there! And our ponies and stores! It will all be gone!" the dwarves moaned.

"Nonsense!" Thorin exclaimed. "We have to do what we can. We won't leave everything there for Smaug to steal. Get inside Miss Baggins! And Mister Baggins and Balin! You too, Fili and Kili! Smaug won't have all of us." I tried to help bring in some things but those few minutes were extremely hectic. I hardly remember any of it now that I think of it. I wondered what made the dragon wake up and what he was thinking. Eventuallay, it all cooled down and almost everything went back to normal. Like I said, ALMOST everything cooled down. Unfortunately, we had NO idea what we had done to the poor people of Esgaroth. It had not happened yet but the anger had just begun to heat up in Smaug.

The Thrush Knocked!

The next morning, the dwarves walked in all directions to kill time. Bilbo and I remained on the "doorstep" and waited for a sign. Bilbo hardly talked that day. I suppose his mind was on other things. I felt as if something were going to happen today. I waited all the live-long day and nothing happened. Well, Bifur and Bombur sent fish to Bilbo and I for dinner that evening. But other than that nothing happened. There were no birds to watch, animals to see, or singing to hear. Soon, the sun sank and the moon started to take its place.

"At least I have the starry sky to look at tonight," I sighed gratefully. But my silent moment was interrupted by a faint "Crack!".

"What on earth was that?!" I asked Bilbo. I walked towards the back wall.

"It's a... thrush?! A big thrush with a snail in its beak," he answered. Then we looked at each other with wide eyes. We ran to the edge of the mountain and hollered down to the dwarves, where they were relaxing under the stars.

"What do you want?!" they yelled back.

"A thrush came and knocked on the wall! Bring the key quickly!" we explained. We watched as they ran up as quickly as they could. The first one to come was Thorin.

"Quickly! Have the key ready, Thorin!" Bilbo exclaimed. We all waited patiently. Well, to be honest, Bilbo and I waited patiently. The dwarves were the most impatient I had ever seen. The thrush made a chirp and then the wall made a loud cracking noise. A slice of rock split and fell out of the wall. Thorin shoved the key in and turned. Snap! It unlocked! The dwarves pushed forward and the door moved inward silently. We looked into the darkness and saw more darkness. The dwarves debated whether "someone" should go in and check it out. Of course, they were referring to Bilbo. And Bilbo caught on quite quickly. Thorin decided it was time for "our esteemed, Mister Baggins" to go into the mountain and spy on the dragon. Obviously, he said this in his "royal we" talk, as I referred to it. Using his fancy schmancy terms and words to sound official and important. Bilbo did not let him lead on and on and drive us to sleep. He interrupted and said he would go in and have a look 'round.

"Would anyone like to come with me?" he asked politely. You and I both know that he would not get very many volunteers. And you and I also know that I promised Bilbo I would stick by him. And that is precisely what I did.

"I'll go with you, Bilbo," I said. Balin also came in with us. He had taken a liking to Bilbo and I and he was rather interested in our little lives. Bilbo agreed and led the way into the dark passage. Balin stopped at the faintest light of the doorway and told us to mind our words and sounds. So the two of us walked down, alone and in the dark.

Waiting on the Doorstep

Bifur and Bombur agreed to stay on the ground to take care of the stores and the ponies. We could not take any packs with us and had rope tied around our waists just in case one of us fell. Which we didn't and we all got to the door safe and sound. We made a small camp and hauled up the things we needed by the ropes that was tied around our waists. Some of the dwarves explored beyond the bay and found a path that went higher and higher. There was no point to climbing higher so they went no further. Bilbo and I were the ones who waited on the doorstep. Well, technically, there was no doorstep but it was a good enough job for me. We spoke quietly to one another and tried not to make any noise. They were anxious to get it opened and even though I reminded them of the moon runes they still tried. They had tools from Lake-town that they took and tried to use them to find the key-hole. They had no success and waited for Bilbo or Thorin to tell them what to do next. The dwarves would ask him what he was doing and he would simply say: "You said sitting and thinking would be my job, not to mention getting inside, so I am sitting and thinking." And with his response, they left him to his sitting and thinking. Bilbo confessed that he was not thinking of his job at all but what lay beyond the vast blue sky.

"Home," I sighed. "How wonderful it will be to be back again!" The dwarves got more bored as the days went by. They had nothing left to do so all of us ended up sitting on the doorstep and thinking of what to do next. One day, the dwarves were out on the rocks and they were talking about a variety of things that I was not interested in. But then they started talking behind Bilbo's back.

"What nerve! WE'RE SITTING RIGHT UNDER YOU, YA KNOW!" my thoughts yelled. Anyway, they were talking amongst each other and started saying that time is going by and nothing is happening. AND thinking that they should send Bilbo to spy things out through the Front Gate. Bilbo heard this and had a horrified look on his face.

"My goodness! I don't like the sound of that at all! Haven't I already done enough for them since Gandalf left? It's always poor me that has to do all the saving. I don't want to go out there again if I don't have to. I had a feeling that it would come to this. What am I going to do?" he sighed.

"Oh, don't worry about it, Bilbo! It hasn't happened so you shouldn't waste energy thinking about something that hasn't happened. And even if it did, you should know that you wouldn't be going alone. I'm not going to settle waiting around for you to get back. I'll stick by your side no matter the cost!" I whispered. I didn't want the dwarves to hear that we overheard their conversation.

"Thank you, Fawnabelle! You sure know how to cheer someone up," Bilbo complimented.

"It's what I do best!" I smiled. I knew I did a good thing. I would go with Bilbo to check out the dragon even if I didn't have an invisible ring. I wouldn't want one anyway because I knew what power it had and I knew that I wasn't strong enough. That night I was kept awake by the thoughts running through my head. So I stood up and walked to the edge of the floor and looked down. It was a long way! But then I looked up at the starry sky and felt happy. It was such a memorable moment and I savored every second of it. I went to the back wall, sat against it, and fell asleep.

WE FOUND THE DOOR!

It was lonely at camp. I was all alone and by myself. But it wasn't too bad. Bilbo was always looking at Thorin's map and saying to himself: "Don't worry. We'll find the door soon enough." and the moon rune message that Elrond had found. I had to do something. They wouldn't let me go with them on the expeditions. Everyday, I proposed that I should go with them.

"Can I go have a look around today?" I asked. Actually, I begged. Eventually, Thorin gave in.

"Fine. Fili! Kili! Go with Miss Baggins and let her have her fill of adventure for the day," he ordered. I smiled; I knew it would work one of these days.

"Can I come with you, Fawn?" Bilbo peeped from behind me. I didn't see him so I jumped.

"Yes! Of course, you can come!" I said excitedly. He walked away smiling and grabbed his bag.

"Come on, Miss Baggins. We don't have all day," Fili groaned.

"We're waiting on Bilbo, Mister... never mind. We're not leaving without him," I explained. They agreed to wait and soon Bilbo was ready to leave.

"You can lead Miss Baggins. Since it was YOUR idea to come," Kili suggested.

"You can call me Fawn, you know," I said as I led the way.

"This is strictly a business relationship," Fili said. Bilbo laughed but then cleared his throat.

"You've called me Fawn before," I answered.

"That was in Mirkwood. It's different now. And I don't think Thorin would appreciate us calling you 'Fawn' if he calls you 'Miss Baggins'," Kili explained.

"Fawn is much more convenient than Miss Baggins," Bilbo said from behind.

"Everyone else calls me Fawn. And I don't like you calling me Miss Baggins anyway," I complained.

"Can we please drop the topic? We're not getting anywhere," Fili sighed.

"Only if you promise to call me Fawn again," I offered.

"Fine. May we please walk faster, Miss Ba-- I mean, Fawn?" Kili asked.

"Yes. Yes we may, Kili," I said as I picked up the pace. Soon, I bumped into a flight of stairs.

"What the hay? What is this?" I asked aloud.

"It probably leads to a dead end. Let's keep walking," Fili blurted.

"Did you follow this one before?" I asked.

"Well--" Kili started.

"Then stop your pessimism! Come on! Bilbo? You're coming with me right?" I asked.

"Well--" he started.

"Great! Can you give me a boost? It's too high for me to jump," I explained.

"Sure, Fawn," he said. He took off his pack and got down on one knee. He put his hands on his knee and I put my foot on his hands. I got ready to stand up.

"1, 2, 3!" I counted. I stood up on three and from there he lifted his hands as much as he could. Then I scrambled on the first step and pulled him up.

"Fine! We'll go with you," they said. They put their arms out for Bilbo and I to grab them.

"I knew you would," I heaved.

"How could you possibly know that we would give in?" Fili asked as he used all of his strength to get up.

"Because Thorin told you to "go with me" and by that he meant "follow her and don't let her out of your sight"," I explained simply.

"Well, Fawn. You guessed right. Now all I have to say is... lead on!" Kili said. I nodded and climbed the stairs as far as they would go. I almost fell once or twice but I definitely tripped on a couple of stairs. But they couldn't laugh because it happened to them too. Bilbo was the one who had the least trips. We walked for a LONG time (it seemed like forever) until finally... BAM! I spotted a little bay (as one might describe it). It was grassy on the floor and had one smooth wall with NO marks whatsoever. Fili and Kili beat on the door and even tried saying bits of opening spells. But none of it worked because it wasn't Durin's Day yet! DUH! We rested until sundown and then we started to walk back to our camp. When we got there at nightfall, we hurried everyone to the same tent where we exclaimed: "WE FOUND THE DOOR!". Soon, everyone was getting ready to move to the place we had found. I was feeling down because no one came to thank us. But then Bilbo said something to everyone.

"Thank you for listening everyone! I just wanted to thank Fawnabelle for going out and finding the door. Well, not the door yet. But she found the wall where the door is... which is better than nothing. I also wanted to thank Fili and Kili for going with her too and staying with us. Thank you all! Now we're getting somewhere!" he shouted. I held back tears of joy and everyone came to the three of us to thank us. Well, everyone except Thorin. I thanked Fili and Kili for taking me even though they thought it was a mistake. And they apologized for not believing in me and putting up with their hard-headedness. I forgave them and I spent the rest of the night sleeping. It was a busy day!

We Camp, Spy on the Front Gate, and I Hear Smaug

We reached the skirts of the Lonely Mountain without meeting any danger. We made a camp by Ravenhill and on it there was an old watch-post that had been abandoned. The dwarves didn't want to climb it for the watch-post was out in the open and didn't want to risk being seen. Thorin sent out Balin, Fili, and Kili to go spy on the Front Gate. Bilbo and I decided to go with them to keep them company. We followed the river and came to a ledge where we saw a burnt valley.

"There lies the old and forgotten city of Dale. When the bells rang in those pleasant days, the mountain sides were full of green trees and the valley was rich," Balin said sadly. His face was filled with remorse and remembered that day when the dragon came. He was one of Thorin's companions on that cursed day. I felt sorry for him; he never should have witnessed that. Then again, nobody should have witnessed that. One creature's actions affected hundreds of others. It was very selfish of Smaug to do this to these poor souls.

"Just wait until I get my hands on that dragon!" I thought. I wanted to march right into that gate. But my thought was disturbed by the croaking of a large, black crow. The dwarves and Bilbo did not want to get close to the gate but that didn't stop me. I walked all the way right up to the gate doors and put my ear against it and listened. The crows kept cawing at me which made me very annoyed and a little cross.

"Would you stop that? You're blowing my cover!" I whispered. They stopped making noise and flew away. I put my ear against the door again and heard a quiet rumbling.

"What is that noise?" I thought. "Maybe it's old Smaug napping," I muttered. I went back to the dwarves and Bilbo.

"What did you hear? Did you see anything? Fawnabelle! Are you listening to me?" Bilbo whispered.

"Why do you want to know Bilbo?" I asked.

"Well, they might send me in there and I want to know what I'm up against. And I have a slight case of curiosity," he explained.

"Oh all right! I suppose it wouldn't hurt. All I heard was a low rumbling and the croaking of crows. I told them to go away so I could hear better. I think the rumbling was Smaug snoring," I explained.

"That's it? You didn't see him? Well then, I guess I'm not getting any answers after all," Bilbo sighed.

"No Bilbo. I guess you're not," I replied. The five of us went back to Thorin and told him what they had seen and done and about how I went to the gate even though they told me not to. But he really didn't care. Nobody cared... so I went about my business and told no one else about what I had heard.

We Leave Lake-town

After a fortnight since our arrival, Thorin showed some signs of wanting to depart. I thought it wise because we could get more help while the excitement still remained in the town. One day, he went to the Master and asked for help with our journey to the Mountain. I think the Master was grateful we were leaving but also a little bit worried that Thorin was telling the truth.

"Surely, Thorin son of Thror! The hour is at hand and you must go to claim your own. Whatever you need shall be granted to you and we trust your gratitude will be repaid," he said in the end. The next day, we left to the Lonely Mountain in three boats. Our horses and ponies were being taken around the lake and would meet us when we landed. Bilbo was the only one who was completely unhappy and he showed it pretty clearly. I wanted to know what was bothering him.

"Are you alright, Bilbo?" I asked.

"Yes, Fawn... I'm fine," he sighed.

"Are you sure? You can tell me," I offered.

"I miss the Shire and I want this to be over already. But then I don't want to go home. I can't seem to make up my mind. I know it doesn't make any sense," Bilbo said.

"I understand what you mean, Bilbo. I want to go home too but then I don't want to go home. It does make sense, to me at least. Whatever happens, we will still have each other, to help one another in times of need," I comforted him.

"Thank you, Fawnabelle," he smiled. But there was still a sense of sadness in his soul; I could feel it. We arrived in three days time and our steeds were waiting for us on the shore. We packed the ponies with as much as they could hold and the rest was stored in a tent. The boat rowers would not stay the night with us because they were afraid of the Lonely Mountain and the dreaded Smaug. It was easier for them to believe in the dragon than in Thorin during those times. We didn't need to guard the tent because the land surrounding us was completely empty. It was a very cold and lonely night and it went back to what we hoped not to. We became rather lonely and sadness came to us all; it was the total opposite than what they had felt in the town. The next day, we went out and tried to pick out roads to lead the ponies on. Balin and Bilbo were behind the rest of us and led another pony that had things packed onto it. I felt bad for the poor things but it could not be helped. So there we were, fifteen of us, going at a slow pace on our way to the Mountain. Our ride was a very quiet one but it fitted to the feeling around us. It was complete silence and it was starting to feel uncomfortable. We knew that this expedition was coming to an end and we were starting to think what the end would feel like. It was a hard time but I tried to make the most of it by thinking of what we had already accomplished. That "unexpected" party was so long ago but I remember it so vividly. We all had changed so much since then. I wondered how life would have been without these friends. Well of course they were my friends! Friends get on each other's nerves once in a while or all the time. But that doesn't make them any less special; it's the memories that count. The memories...

We Arrive in Laketown (or Esgaroth)

We walked along the shore that we landed and across an old, broad bridge. We could see guards in a hut at the front of the town but they did not notice us coming towards them. They were full of astonishment when Thorin walked through the door of their hut.

"What do you want and who are you?" they asked, grabbing a weapon and jumping to their feet.

"I am Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror King under the Mountain!" he declared in a loud voice. He looked like it except the wet, dirty clothes. But the gold he wore on his neck and waist shined with brilliance.

"I have returned and I wish to see your Master!" The captain of the guard approached Thorin.

"And who are these?" he asked, referring to the rest of us.

"These are the son's of my father's daughter, Fili and Kili of the race of Durin. And this is Mr. Baggins and his niece, Fawnabelle Baggins who have journeyed with us out of the West." Thorin answered.

"If you come in peace, lie down your arms!" the captain commanded. Thorin looked at me out of the corner of his eye.

"We have none," he replied.

"You have none? Then what does the lass have in her quiver, eh?" he laughed. 

"It's empty," I said as I took it off and showed him my quiver. He looked at it like he didn't believe what he saw and to be honest, I didn't either! Gandalf said it would refill itself but not empty itself.

"Alright, follow me please," the captain said. The five of us started to walk behind the captain.

"How did you do that? The last time I saw it, it was full!" Bilbo whispered.

"I have no idea!" I whispered excitedly. We made it to the banquet hall rather quickly.
Thorin shoved the door open and introduced himself to everyone who was present. 

"I am Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror, King Under the Mountain! I have returned!" he shouted in a fierce voice. The captain was a little upset but Thorin didn't care. After he introduced himself, everyone that was dining stood up quickly. They were all very surprised; but none were as surprised as the raft-men of the elves. They recognized us and they walked to the Master's table. 

"These were the prisoners of our king, who have escaped. These dwarves did not give an answer to our king's questions about their doings in our country. And they disturbed our people's merrymaking while they were feasting in the forest," they complained to the Master. 

"Do these elves speak the truth about you?" the Master asked. 

"We have been wrongly judged by the elves and their king. But we did escape the prisons yet neither lock or bar can keep legend from becoming true. I want to speak to the Master of the town, not the raft-men of the Elvenking," Thorin explained. The Master of Laketown was starting to get worried, for King Thranduil was their biggest supporter and buyer. Much of the Lakemen's money they earned came from the elves' needs. They had a very good business going and the Master did not want to stop it because of a handful of dwarves. Alas, he had no other choice but to accept Thorin even if he was telling the truth or not; for news had reached the town quicker than lightning. The townspeople began to sing songs of old about the King returning and the prophecy that was made many years before. The Master decided to at least pretend that he believed and gave up his own chair at the table. Thorin sat at the start with Fili and Kili on his right and left; even Bilbo and I were given high seats at the table. The other dwarves soon came and they were taken care of, fed, as well as pampered in the most excessive way. I thought it a little too much but we got everything we needed to depart. The dwarves became fat again and Bilbo was also getting a little plump in the stomach. They gave us a house to stay in and it was rather comfortable. But I had to find someplace to get away from all the dwarves. It had been a long time since Bilbo and I had some alone time. Three days out of the week, I journeyed the town all day either alone or with Bilbo and returned to our quarters to eat meals. But sometimes, they would not let Bilbo leave because he was still getting rid of his cold. His cold was getting better, but it's different than the Shire. The Shire... how I missed it. I used to climb to the roof at night, stare at the sky, and dream of the Shire. Its sunny mornings, fresh scents, and quiet nights kept me anxious to finish the adventure. But lots of questions made me want this adventure to NEVER end.

I Am Set Free and I Am A Barrel Rider

A week or two went by and several messages were passed through Bilbo to the other dwarves. Legolas became my regular meal passer and he came to talk to and see me everyday. We had gotten to know each other pretty well. Sometimes, he would stay a little too long and forget the other things he needed to do that day. He usually asked me questions about the Shire. He had never been out of Mirkwood before. I didn't know that would be the last day I stayed in that cell. It was after lunchtime when I heard the jingling of keys and shuffling feet. I saw them coming this way! I picked up my bag and peered through the bars. Bilbo unlocked my door and we walked to Thorin's cell. Everyone was very happy to see each other.

"I suppose Gandalf was right! You are a fine burglar, Mr. Baggins! Now what is the next step to our escape?" Thorin asked. Bilbo explained his plan and the dwarves complained.

"We thought you had a well-thought out plan, not a float on the river! We will drown in those barrels! Even if we do come out alive in the end, we will be in poor shape to climb the Lonely Mountain," they said. Bilbo was very sad and disappointed as well as annoyed with the dwarves.

"I think it's a marvelous idea! Unless, you dwarves have a better plan... well? Do you?" I asked. They looked to each other and sighed. Bilbo led us all to the lowest cellars and showed us to the barrels. There were only fourteen... I guessed that Bilbo hadn't counted when he first thought out his plan. He put the heaviest dwarves on the bottom first and one by one they were all in barrels. Some elves were coming down the stairs so I hurried into a barrel and he put the lid on tight. He slipped on his ring and they started to roll us out to the river. One by one, we all splashed into the icy cold water. Luckily, Bilbo was very careful with putting my lid on and not a single drop came in. Although we were in the barrels for two days, I was rather comfortable and slept pretty much the whole time although I had a little taste of motion sickness. When I woke up, I was very hungry. I heard a loud knock on my barrel and Bilbo called to see if there was anyone in there.

"Hello? I'm in here!" I answered. Bilbo rolled me to shore and opened my lid. I shivered; the breeze was freezing. Thorin was in the water looking for more dwarves. Bilbo helped me out of the barrel.

"Bilbo! You're all wet! What happened?" I asked.

He answered me with a congested voice, 

"There were not enough barrels. So I slipped on my ring and grabbed hold of a barrel when I fell in the river and... ACHOO! Excuse me, please. I seem to be catching a cold."

"I'm sorry, Bilbo," I replied. He motioned to me for us to help Thorin with the barrels. I nodded and we walked over. I stayed on shore opening lids while they talked to the barrels. They managed to find six dwarves when they called to them. Dwalin and Balin were the most unhappy and didn't help us. Bifur and Bofur threw themselves on the shore and didn't help either. Fili and Kili had the least amount of damage and wetness. They came out with more or less a smile and helped us out. With their help, we found the others a lot sooner. 

Bilbo Finds Me and I Meet An Elf

When they had locked me in my cell, I started to whisper for Bilbo.

"Bilbo! Bilbo? Where are you?" I whispered out of the bars. I sat down on the ground when he appeared next to the door.

"Bilbo!" I said quietly.

"Hello, Fawn..." he replied.

"I'm so glad to see you! Did you find any of the dwarves yet?" I asked.

"Only one... but guess who it is?" Bilbo asked. "Okay, I'll tell you... I found Thorin! He's not very far. I will have to leave you soon so I can try to find a way to get out of here. I may come again so don't be alarmed."

"I understand, Bilbo. Goodbye," I answered. He slipped on his ring and walked away. He had left just in time too because an elf was walking this way. He had a plate of food and a cup of water. When he got closer, I noticed his face looked familiar. The elf was Legolas! I was facing towards the wall when he came. He cleared his throat and I turned around. He kindly handed the plate and cup to me.

"Thank you," I said. He gave me a puzzled look.

"You're not a dwarf," he said.

"No, I'm not a dwarf. I'm a hobbit," I answered.

"A hobbit?" he asked.

"Um... a more common term is Halfling," I explained. He looked at me but I didn't look back. 

"I know what a hobbit is but I've never seen one. Why were you with the dwarves in the first place?" Legolas asked.

"It's a long story," I replied.

"I have time," he insisted as he sat down outside of the bars.

"I would have to tell you about what we were doing and I'm pretty sure they wouldn't forgive me if I told you..." I sighed.

"What's your name?" he asked curiously.

"Fawnabelle," I answered, looking at the floor. 

He smiled, stood up, and said,

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Fawnabelle. I suppose you are more clever than I had first inferred. My father, King Thranduil, told us to question every one of the prisoners. But you aren't going to tell me anything so I guess I'll be leaving now." Then he walked away. I started to eat my meal very slowly and sadly. It wasn't the worst but I still couldn't get over the fact that I was in a prison. I thought about Bilbo's hobbit hole and I wondered what would happen after this adventure.

We Are Put in Prison

The day after the fight against the spiders, we tried to find the road. We took a vote and eight of us agreed on one way. So we walked in that direction and did not find the road.

"This is hopeless!" I muttered. Suddenly, hundreds of red torches lit up all around us like stars and wood-elves leapt out from nowhere and told us to freeze. Bilbo disappeared and the rest of us were bound with ropes in a single file. They put me in the way back of the line. They were a little hesitant with me because they saw my bow. It was of elvish craft and they might have thought I was an elf. Nonetheless, they tied my hands as well as all of the dwarves. The elves blindfolded everyone except me. Bilbo was standing in the back invisibly; but I knew he was there. They made us walk very quickly to the king's palace. Our walk there was very strange; it was pitch-black, but I could see everything. 

"The wood-elves can see everything too. Well, obviously they can see because they are elves. But I'm not an elf; I'm a hobbit.  Maybe I'm just adapting other beings natural powers or something awesome like that," I thought. While I was doing all of this thinking, we halted in front of a bridge that led to two stone doors. The stone doors opened and we proceeded. We walked across the bridge, at a normal pace, and went right through the open doors. It slammed behind us with a bang and we walked through many passages which were glowing red from the torch-light. We came to a great hall where the Elvenking sat on a big wooden throne. He was wearing a crown of berries and red leaves, for the season was autumn. In his right hand, he held a staff carved out of oak. He ordered the guards to unbind our hands.

"There is no need here," he said. "No prisoner has or ever will escape my magic doors without my consent." I tried to stay out of his sight. He questioned the dwarves and asked them about their doings, where they were coming from, and why they were in the forest.

"O King, why do you question us so? What have we done?" said Balin, who was the eldest. "Is it such a crime to be lost in the forest? To be starving and thirsting? And to kill some spiders? Are the spiders your tame beasts or pets? Is that why you are so angry with their deaths?" 

This made the king even more angry and he replied,

"It is a crime to wander in my kingdom. Did you forget that you were in my realm, using my people's road that they made with their own hands? Three times you have pursued and troubled my people, not to mention that you roused the spiders. After all the trouble you have caused I believe I have a right to know what your purpose here is. And if you are not going to tell me now, I will keep you all in prison until you have learned some manners and gained some sense! Take them away!" He ordered that we would all be in separate cells and that we were not to see or talk to each other until at least one of us would tell him the truth. He did not say anything about Thorin. We were marched to our cells and we all thought to ourselves about what we should do.

Thorin's Fate

It was a great shock to everyone. I, of course, knew this and did not trouble myself with the thought of him never being found again. I went back to sleep and recalled where Thorin was. He was in the dungeon of a fair woodland elf king. After Bilbo had stepped into the light, Bilbo was put under a spell. Thorin stepped out after him and he too fell under a spell. The other dwarves cries led to their capturing by the spiders. The woodland elves had captured Thorin and taken him to their dwelling. 

He was taken to a great cave that was home to a woodland elf king. It was on the eastern edge of Mirkwood. The entrance to his estate was huge stone doors and in front of it ran a river. It flowed on and on into grand marshes that were at the feet of the high wooded  lands. Many smaller caves opened out on its perimeter and that great cave was deep underground. It had many passages and broad halls; but they were filled with light and air unlike goblins. It was far more wholesome than any goblin-dwelling and it was neither dangerous or too deep. All subjects of that king lived and hunted in the open wood. They had houses or huts in trees as well as on the ground. They were surrounded by beeches, which were their favorite type of tree. The cave was the king's palace and he dwelt there with his treasure; the cave was also used for a fortress against their enemies.

There he was taken out of the spell and questioned by their king.

' "Why did you and your folk three times try to attack my people at their merrymaking?" asked the king.

"We did not attack them," answered Thorin; "we came to beg, because we were starving."

"Where are your friends now, and what are they doing?"

"I don't know, but I expect starving in the forest."

"What were you doing in the forest?"

"Looking for food and drink, because we were starving."

"But what brought you into the forest at all?" asked the king angrily. At that Thorin shut his mouth and would not say another word.

"Very well!" said the king. "Take him away and keep him safe, until he feels inclined to tell the truth, even if he waits a hundred years." '

Then they bound him again and put him into his cell where he remained until that hour and many after. He was well-fed and he was beginning to feel grateful. Elves are not like goblins; spiders are the only creatures that they show no mercy. Thorin had already begun to wonder about us and if we would be able to save him. 

The Battle and Conquering of the Spiders

Bilbo and I realized that Bombur was still on the floor and more spiders were gathering around him. They had tied him up again and they were almost ready to take him away. I told Bilbo to go and help Bombur and that I would help the rest of the dwarves. He swung Sting at the spiders that were in front of him and they backed away from him. Then, he scrambled and fell down right in the middle of another group of spiders. Everyone was freed and Bilbo had killed six spiders and the rest ran away.

"Come down!" he shouted. "Hurry! Before you get caught again!" 

I looked up and saw lots more spiders above us. I was so scared that I ran down that tree and was on the ground in a jiffy. The dwarves, on the other hand, came three different ways: climbing down as fast as they could, jumping from the branch, or falling down off the branch. In the end, there were eleven dwarves in a pile behind Bilbo and I. They helped each other up and Bombur was standing between Bifur and Bofur. I was constantly sending arrows at spiders and Bilbo was darting here and there with his trusty sword, Sting. Hundreds of spiders were staring at our little party while we were fighting. It seemed that we would most likely lose the fight. But the the dwarves got into the groove and they started to help us defeat the beasts. 

Some dwarves had knives, others had sticks, and most just threw rocks. Only about four could stand upright and firmly. We were getting tired. The spiders just kept on coming and it felt like this battle would never end. Bilbo decided to tell the dwarves about the ring so he could distract the spiders and lead them away. He was a little hesitant at first but there seemed to be no other way.

"I am going to leave you so I will be able to disappear. I'm going to draw them away from you; you must stay together and go in the opposite direction. Hopefully, if you bear left, you will reach the place where the last elf-fire was," he explained.

"I'm coming with you," I added.

"I'm sorry, Fawn. But most of these dwarves are still recovering and I need you to guide them for me. Don't you remember what Gandalf said? He put you in charge of these dwarves for a reason and we are all counting on you to lead them to safety," he said.

"Fine," I sighed. He smiled and he disappeared in front of my eyes. We heard his voice calling out to the spiders from the right: "Attercop!" and "Lazy Lob!" He began his song again and some spiders went towards the voice. Then I led all of the dwarves and we started attacking the spiders that came in our way. We didn't hear Bilbo's voice and we hoped that he hadn't been caught. Our pace slackened and the dwarves became more weary than before. Bilbo appeared from the side and he charged into the spiders that were gaining on us.

"Go on! You can leave the stinging to me!" he cried after us. And that's precisely what he did. We kept on going with no stopping. The spiders gave up following us and went back to their dark homes. Bilbo followed us and we reached the ring where we had been before. I sat down on the ground and yawned.

"That was a lot of excitement for one night," I said sleepily. I laid down and wrapped myself in the blanket that was in my sack. The dwarves asked Bilbo lots of questions about the ring. Balin insisted that Bilbo tell them the story of Gollum with the ring put in where it belonged. I couldn't sleep but I managed to rest my eyes. After they were done asking their questions and Bilbo had finished answering them, they all laid down and rested. Balin muttered in his sleep about the story that Bilbo had told them. 

Suddenly, he sat up with a jerk and said,

"Where's Thorin?"

We Start to Free the Dwarves

And this is what I understood:

" 'It was a sharp struggle, but worth it,' said one. 'What nasty thick skins they have to be sure, but I'll wager there is a good juice inside.'

'Aye, they'll make a fine eating, when they've hung a bit,' said another. 

'Don't hang 'em too long,' said a third. 'They're not as fat as they might be. Been feeding none too well of late, I should guess.'

'Kill 'em, I say,' hissed a fourth; 'kill 'em now and hang 'em dead for a while.'

'They're dead now, I'll warrant,' said the first.

'That they are not. I saw one a-struggling just now. Just coming round again, I should say, after a bee-autiful sleep. I'll show you.' "

Then a fat spider crawled across one of the strings of silk and went to a place where there were twelve bundles of something were hanging from a high branch. I gasped; those bundles were the dwarves! The spider went to the fattest bundle-- "Poor Bombur," I thought-- and he pinched the nose that was sticking out. There was a muffled cry of pain and he kicked the spider which knocked it out of the tree. The spider caught itself with its own string that he was connected to. He crawled back up the tree and went back to his fellow spiders. I was getting so angry at those mean spiders. I reached for an arrow and my bow. I got ready while the spider was going back to Bombur. I saw a stone fly through the air and plop the spider on the head. It dropped to the floor with its legs curled up. I shot the arrow from my branch and it lay there... dead. 

Another rock went zooming through a giant web where a spider was sitting. The spider fell and I shot that one too and it lay there... dead. Soon, the colony of spiders were gathered together and tried to figure out where Bilbo was at. It was frightening for me because I was up in the trees where they were and I didn't have a ring of power to make me invisible. I tried my best to stay hidden and I guessed it worked because none of them caught me. They ran towards where Bilbo had been throwing the stones but they didn't find them there. Every time he would knock one down, I shot it to make sure it was dead. He started to make the spiders angry when he sang this song:

" 'Old fat spider sitting in a tree!

Old fat spider can't see me!

Attercop! Attercop!

Won't you stop,

Stop your spinning and look for me?

Old Tomnoddy, all big body

Old Tomnoddy can't spy me!

Attercop! Attercop!

Down you drop!

You'll never catch me up your tree!' "

  

Yes, it is pretty ridiculous but it was funny at the time. I laughed silently while the spiders got more angry. Bilbo led them away and I tried to figure out who was in which bundle. Then Bilbo appeared next to me.

"Keep an eye out while I untie this one. I think it's Fili," he explained. He cut the really thick strands and woke Fili up. We tried very hard not to laugh but we couldn't help it. He looked like a puppet trying to untangle his strings. When he was freed, he helped us try to free the rest of them. We untied Bombur first but he fell off the tree and into a pile of leaves on the floor and didn't move. We managed to free Kili, Bifur, Bofur, Nori, and Dori as well. We had five more dwarves to go and the spiders came for Bilbo. 

"There you are, you nasty little pest! We see you now and we'll eat you until you are just bones! He has got a sting, has he? Well, we'll eat you just the same and all of your friends too!" they hissed angrily. It seemed that there was going to be a battle and I was so ready for it.