The Gathering of Birds and A Travel to the Past

Morning came and we woke up to the sound of many birds crying from above us. We saw birds gathering in the sky. They formed into groups that resembled dark clouds. All kinds of birds came from the South and clustered together. 

"Something very peculiar is happening here," Thorin remarked. "The birds should be finished with their autumn wanderings for that time has passed. I can see flocks of finches and starlings. And far off there, I can see many carrion birds as if a battle has started!"

"Look there! That old thrush from the doorstep! It looks like he survived Smaug!" Bilbo cried. It was the same thrush from the Mountain.

"I don't think the snails did though," I laughed sadly. They chuckled a little bit and smiled. The thrush flew closer to us and fluttered his wings.

"He's dead! Smaug is dead!" the thrush sang. My eyes went wide after I heard what the thrush said. He cocked his head to one side and sang again.

"The dragon is dead! He's dead!" he sang happily. 

"He must be trying to tell us something. But I cannot understand such birds. Their speech is quick and difficult. Can you make it out, Mister Baggins?" Balin asked.

"No, not really. What about you, Fawnabelle?" Bilbo asked. The thrush sang again.

"It's good news! He said-" I started to say. Until I saw a flash before my eyes. I blinked and I was in Lake-town.

"Don't tell me I transported!" I said aloud. Someone was running in my direction and they ran right through me!

"What? How did?" I stuttered. "I'm in... the past? This is when Smaug came and destroyed the city." I couldn't see clearly but there was fire everywhere. People were running and getting into boats. A strong wind rushed through the streets. I looked up and saw the great shadow of Smaug. My hair and skirt blew in the wind and I felt the heat from the fire. Sparks floated in the air and I saw someone run right past me. He was running against the crowd and had a bow in his hand. 

"Bard!" I cried. He looked back at me and then up at the sky. He didn't say anything to me but kept running in the opposite direction. People started to scream and point at something behind me. A building was crumbling so I ran to follow Bard. Sparks floated in the air as I tried to keep up with him. He stopped suddenly and looked sideways. A string of fire fell from the sky and hit the road next to us. He backed up against the wall beside us until the fire died out. I looked up and saw Smaug spewing horrible flames towards the people.

"Where did he go?!" I asked frantically. And that was when I saw him with other archers, talking among themselves. I was about to make my way across when debris came crashing in front of me. I jumped over it and hid close enough for me to hear what they were planning to do. A thrush flew to him and hovered by his ear. Bard looked at him with an amazed gaze as if he had understood the bird. He pulled out the glorious black arrow from his quiver. It was the very last arrow. He put it in place and drew the bow-string to his ear. 

"Arrow!" he cried. "I have saved you for the last. You have never failed me and I have always recovered you. I received you from my father, and him from his father of old. If you truly came from the forges of the true king under the Mountain, go now and speed well!" Smaug was coming our direction and Bard readied his aim.

The Old Look-out Post

When we finally reached the Front Gate, we were met with pale rays of sunshine and a cold wind. I shivered but it was great to see the outside world again. The quiet stream faced us and the Gate. My stomach grumbled and I suddenly became aware of my exhaustion.

"I'm hungry," I stated mindlessly.

"Me too," Bilbo agreed, rubbing his stomach. "It should be late morning so it's more or less breakfast time. Although I don't think the front door is a safe place to eat. Let's find a nice place to eat."

"Right! I have a perfect place in mind. We should make for the old look-out post," Balin suggested.

"And how far is that exactly?" I asked.

"Hmm. It's in the South-West corner of the Mountain. A five hours march, more or less. The going will not be easy. The road that goes along the left side of the stream seems all broken up. The river runs in front of Dale where there once was a bridge. That bridge led to steep stairs that ended at a road towards Ravenhill. There is (or used to be) a path that left the road and climbed up to the post. A hard climb that is, even if the old stairs are still there," Balin explained.

"Well, it looks like more climbing and walking without breakfast! I wonder how many meals we missed in that nasty, timeless hole?" Bilbo said miserably. 

"Come now, Mister Baggins! Don't call my palace a nasty hole! It'll look very nice once it has been cleaned thoroughly and redecorated," Thorin said joyfully. His spirits were lifted as he rattled the jewels in his pockets.

"But that won't be until Smaug is dead. Where is he anyway? I would give a good breakfast to know," Bilbo grumbled.

"I wouldn't give up breakfast for anything," I admitted. Bilbo and the dwarves laughed.

"Well, the sooner we start, the sooner we can eat," Fili mentioned.

"Then can we please start walking?" I asked desperately.

"Patience, Miss Baggins! We will get there soon enough. Lead the way, Balin!" Thorin declared. We followed the stream to Dale and took the beaten road. It was difficult, just as Balin predicted. It was hard to keep going on such low energy. Balin led us to the post and we finally sat down to eat. I ate slowly to make sure I didn't choke on the dry cram.

"Here is where the guards used to watch over the city. There were several places like this around the Mountain. It was rather comfortable to stay in and there was small need to watch over the prosperous city of old. The guards were overly comfortable here. Perhaps if they weren't, we might have gotten an earlier warning about the dragon. Things might have been different. Well, we can't change the past. For now, we can see much without being seen," Balin said.

"What use would that be if we have already been seen coming here?" asked Dori, who had a constant eye on the Mountain. He probably expected to see Smaug perching on the Mountain, like a bird waiting for his prey. 

"I suppose we must take our chances with that, Dori. We cannot go any further today," Thorin replied.

"Thank goodness," I sighed. I laid down on the floor and covered myself with my blanket. Night came and I fell asleep.

I Am A Restless Thinker

I went into the armory and looked around at the old, dusty armor. 

"Will I be fighting with them? Will I need this armor?" I thought. I picked up a silver plated shield and looked at my reflection. Music began to fill my mind and soon lyrics accompanied it.

*"Who is that girl I see, staring straight back at me? Why is my reflection someone I don't know? Somehow I cannot hide who I am though I've tried. When will my reflection show, who I am, inside? When will my reflection show, who I am, inside?"* I sang softly.

"Where have I heard that before?" I thought as I put shield down with wonder. Bilbo and the dwarves peeped their heads through the door.

"Was that you, Fawnabelle? Were you singing?" Bilbo asked. The dwarves looked surprised to learn that I could sing. I blushed and looked down at the floor.

"Yes," I answered, with an embarrassed tone. The dwarves widened their eyes and looked at each other. Bilbo was ashamed at them.

"You don't believe her? Of course she can sing! She sings quite well actually," Bilbo boasted, with a slight smile. I blushed even more this time which made him smile even more.

"So now you enjoy me being embarrassed?!" I scoffed. Then Bilbo stopped smiling which made the dwarves and I start to laugh. It was Bilbo's turn to blush now so that made us laugh even more. We left the armory and the dwarves went back to examining more treasure. I sat down and groaned of boredom (and hunger).

"Aren't we going to do anything else besides look at treasure?!" I thought aloud. No one answered.

"I have half a mind to leave by myself," I grumbled. Bilbo gave me a look. You know, the one that says, 'I'm right here you know.'

"Well of course I would tell you to come with me, Bilbo! I will always tell you what I'm thinking of doing. No matter what," I said. He gave me a smile and stood beside me. 

"Thorin! We have our armor but what good is it if we are not against Smaug? Your treasure has not been won back yet. We must not for gold anymore but a way out!" Bilbo exclaimed.

"Right you are, Mister Baggins! I will lead the way. Never in numerous years will I forget the ways of my home," Thorin said. He called to the others and they covered their armor with their tattered cloaks. They picked up their torches and we all walked behind Thorin as he led us through the halls of the Mountain. I was the last one in the line which Bilbo did not like.

"Must you be so protective, Bilbo?" I asked quietly. We came to a halt and Thorin listened for any sounds.

"Yes Fawnabelle," he answered as we began to walk again. We climbed lots and lots of stairs. 

"How much more can there be to walk?" I thought. The staircases seemed to go on forever and I felt like I couldn't go any further. All of a sudden, I felt something about the air. It was fresh, sweet almost.

"This is the great chamber of Thror, my grandfather. It was a hall for feasting, gathering and council. Many memories I have take place here. Do not lose hope! The Front Gate is close," Thorin explained.

"Thank goodness" I sighed.


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* "Reflection" lyrics are from Disney's Mulan *

I Encounter More Problems

Bilbo and I watched Thorin search frantically for the Arkenstone. But he soon came upon the armory and turned his attention to that. He called more dwarves after a while and soon everyone was in there.

"What could they be doing, I wonder?" Bilbo asked aloud. I shrugged and played with my fingers. He finally stood up and went to see what they were doing. I started to swing my legs.

"I'm so bored," I complained to myself, still swinging my legs. "If I was in two places, I wouldn't be bored." I stared at the ceiling and sighed. I started to think of what I could do to keep myself busy. I smirked at my idea.

"This is going to be so weird," I laughed. I thought harder and harder but nothing happened.

"Oh no. What did I do?! Where did I go?!" I thought. Then I heard a voice.

"Fawnabelle? Is that you?" I felt a hand help lift me up.

"Who's speaking?" I asked as I stood on my feet.

"It is I, Galadriel. Why are you here? I had received news from Gandalf that your situation was solved but you're here in Lothlorien. Why is that?" she asked with a calm monotone voice.

"Well... I got a little bored. I thought of myself sitting next to me but I suppose I should not have done that. I haven't really mastered my so-called 'powers' yet," I laughed nervously.

"I see. Well, I am glad you did not go anywhere dangerous. But would you mind explaining how you transfer your vision from one place to another?" she asked in that same voice.

"I don't really know how or exactly when I can expect it to happen. In the past, I have seen a bright light before my vision transfers. I tell whomever I am with at the moment that I'm transferring. Well, maybe I should try to go back in one place. I don't want to be a burden on you or Bilbo," I replied. I felt her smiling although I couldn't see it.

"You would not be a burden if you can not go back to one place. But good luck nonetheless, Fawnabelle," Galadriel said. I thought and thought as hard as I could but still nothing happened. 

"It didn't work. Maybe my mind needs a rest after thinking so much," I sighed. Galadriel didn't respond. 

"May I ask you something, your ladyship?" I asked.

"Of course," she answered.

"Do you think you could teach me that mind speaking trick now?" I asked with a laugh. She laughed too.

"Maybe a little later. For now, I must contact Gandalf. Maybe he can come and help you. Excuse me," she said. I thought of bowing and hoped I did.

"Fawnabelle? Are you alright?" Bilbo asked. I rubbed my eyes and nodded. 

"Bilbo? What are you wearing?" I asked, trying to swallow my laugh. He looked down at himself and smiled.

"Thorin gave me this coat of mithril. He said nothing could pierce it. Isn't that interesting?" he asked excitedly. I nodded happily and covered my eyes. I got dizzy all of a sudden. I knew I had seen that before but where?

We Explore Smaug's Lair

I stood and watched Bilbo's little light disappear. I walked down to the edge of the tunnel and gazed into Smaug's lair. The giant piles of assorted gold items weren't as impressive as I thought they would be. I thought of what I valued more than gold and missed the most back home. 

"I miss my books. And Bag End. Oh! Food. I miss food. I miss it so much. Hm, I've never felt this hungry for food before. Ha, when I get to eat good food again, I am going to lick my plate clean," I started to laugh. I decided to think of home more often and to get something to eat. I walked back to the dwarves and they gave me some cram. I examined it carefully. It looked like a biscuit and it smelled like... nothing.

"Thank you," I said as I walked away. I took a little bite. I looked back at my meal.

"It doesn't taste so bad. But that's probably because it doesn't taste like anything. Oh well. Food is food so I'm going to eat it. It's better than starving that's for sure," I said to myself. After I ate it, I was glad I had a home to go back to after this adventure. I sat down at the edge at the tunnel in silence. I was thinking about how much had happened to me during this adventure. Then I heard a voice. I listened carefully and stood up.

"Help!" a little voice squeaked. Was that Bilbo? Thoughts raced in and out of my head. I ran back to the dwarves and told them what I had heard. 

"Are you sure you aren't hearing things? You have been acting kind of strange recently," Thorin asked. I crossed my arms and took a torch away from Kili. I lit it with one that they had. Then they blocked my way back to the edge of the tunnel.

"I can't explain why this has been happening to me. And I am certainly not going to waste time trying to figure it out. If you aren't going to help Bilbo then excuse me," I replied. I pushed them out of the way and went down the tunnel. I could hear them lighting more torches and following me. I climbed over the mountains of gold as fast as I could. The dwarves were slowing down to look at the stuff but I pushed onward. I found Bilbo walking our way so I ran to meet him.

"I'm so glad you're alright, Bilbo. What happened?" I asked.

"Something fluttered in my face while I was walking. I think it was a bat. Anyway, I was surprised and a little scared which made me drop my torch. When I saw your lights, I started walking this way," he explained. Soon the dwarves came and Bilbo explained what happened. 

"I am glad you're alright. But is that all, Master Baggins? Nothing more?" Thorin asked.

"Um, yes that's it. But aren't you glad you came to know that I was fine?" Bilbo asked. 

"Yes, well, you still gave us quite a scare so I would appreciate it if you didn't do it again. Now that we're out here I think we should look around for armor and other things," Thorin decided. So we all began to 'marvel' at the wealth of The King Under the Mountain. Bilbo and I quickly got bored. So we sat down on a ledge of stone, watching the dwarves. I, personally, thought everything looked the same. It was all gold. Fili and Kili found some golden magical harps which were still in tune.

"Now that's interesting!" I thought. The rest of the dwarves started filling their pockets with jewels and gems. Whatever they couldn't fit, they put back with a sigh. I kind of felt bad. What if I didn't know I would get my books back? What if someone stole my bookshelf and I didn't know if I would be able to get it back? What if I had to fight something terrible for my bookshelf?

"That would be horrible. I'd be piling my favorite books and taking them with me. Those poor dwarves," I sighed. I sat down while the others kept looking through the hoards of treasure.

Everything Ends Better With A Warm Hug

"Are you all right, lassie?" someone asked. Wait, who's voice was that?

"Bofur? Wha-what happened?" I answered groggily.

"You just fell to the ground as soon as Bilbo called for a light," Kili interrupted, trying to help Oin and Gloin get a torch lit.

"I asked if you were alright and you mumbled something to yourself the first time. But now you're talking again. Thank goodness. Bilbo probably would have roasted our skins if something happened to you. Are you feeling alright?" Bofur asked. He put his hand to my forehead. I knew my forehead was warm. It had been hot ever since we closed the door.

"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you," I replied.

"Is anyone there?" I thought. No reply. I gasped and stood up. 

"I can't believe-" I started to yell until the dwarves shushed me. Bofur looked surprised that I had changed so quickly. One minute I was on the floor and the other I was jumping for joy. 

"Finally!" Kili exclaimed quietly. They had gotten a torch lit for Bilbo. Bilbo came and got his torch. He gave me a confused look.

"What happened?" he asked.

"It's nothing. I just-" I started to say. But Bofur interrupted me.

"She collapsed to the ground and she wasn't answering us. She kept mumbling to herself. But when you-" It was my turn to interrupt Bofur this time.

"I wouldn't say 'collapsed'," I emphasized. After a brief silence, Bofur kept talking.

"When you called 'light', she woke up. She was kind of groggy and asked what happened. We told her what we saw and asked if she was alright. She didn't explain fully but she was quiet for a little while. Then she jumped up for no reason and started to exclaim something. I was really surprised about the whole thing." Bilbo didn't say anything.

"Bilbo, I am fine now. I figured out my problem, if you follow me," I said, hinting at my problems with bi-locating. 

"Well, I'm glad you're alright and you solved your problem," he winked. I smiled; I was glad he knew I was okay.

"Now that I can light the way, can I convince anyone to come along with me?" he asked. No one answered.

"Can I go with you?" I asked. Bofur shook his head at Bilbo, indicating that it was a bad idea. Bilbo didn't respond right away.

"Maybe it's better that you stay here, Fawnabelle," he mumbled. He said it loud enough for me to hear and kept his eyes on the floor. I didn't understand. 

"Why can't I go? Just because Bofur suggested I shouldn't? But what did that matter? Bilbo knows I'm just fine so why does that change his decision? Besides, didn't he ask if anyone wanted to go with him?" I thought angrily. I looked down at the ground to try to conceal my sadness and anger. Bilbo saw that I was upset with his decision. So he gave his torch to one of the dwarves and stood in front of me.

"I'm taking a friend's suggestion, Fawnabelle. You must understand?" Bilbo asked nicely.

"But you know that I'm being honest about how I feel, Bilbo. So why can't you?" I asked sadly.

"It's different from my place. I have to show them that I trust their judgment. Don't you agree?" he asked. I sighed; he had a point.

"I suppose," I muttered.

"But I still don't understand why I shouldn't be able to go when you asked if any of them would go with you?" I complained, with frustrated tears ready to burst out. Bilbo hugged me, which was something he hadn't done in a long time. It felt so good to hug someone even if it was awkward that thirteen masculine dwarves were watching us.

"I know you would follow me anywhere, Fawn. I thank you for that. I wanted them to see that Smaug was gone but they are too afraid to trust me. So, if I trusted them, do you think they would trust me back?" he whispered.

"So you only did it to earn their trust?" I whispered back. He nodded.

"Then why couldn't you had explained that earlier, Bilbo? It would've saved a lot of time," I laughed as we pulled apart. He shrugged his shoulders. I never doubted Bilbo's decisions from that moment onward. He took his torch and went back to discover more of the mountain.

Complete Silence and Darkness

We waited in silence and darkness for a while. We feared what had become of Smaug and what would happen next. We hardly spoke or moved. We soon became desperate for air. So Bilbo decided to go back down the tunnel again.

"I think it would be best if you all went with me," Bilbo explained. Thorin agreed and we began to walk down the tunnel.

"Be as quiet as you can be! If he is down there, we do not want our presence to be known by the sound of our footsteps," Bilbo whispered. Although the dwarves tried, they could not get any quieter. Bilbo was scared that all of the dwarves' noise would deafen his chance of sneaking a look for Smaug. In the darkness, he slipped on his ring and became invisible. He kept walking with us but came upon the end of the tunnel so suddenly that he slipped down the stairs. I cringed; he probably landed on the floor on his face.

"Poor Bilbo," I thought.

"What happened to him?!" Gandalf exclaimed.

"I can't really tell. He's invisible," I thought.

"Oh, I see. I have an idea on how you can stay in one place!" he said while snapping his fingers. I laughed at his excitement. I hardly imagined Gandalf as being excited.

"That's great! What's your idea?" I asked.

"Try to think of yourself in one place," he answered. 

"What if it works but I can't tell you it worked or not?" I asked.

"Hmm... well, I suppose this is goodbye, just in case," Gandalf said. I became sad. What if it didn't work? What if I went to a different place that wasn't with Gandalf? What if I go somewhere awful?

"Fawnabelle? Is everything alright?" Gandalf asked after my moment of silence.

"Yes. I'm just worried it will work and I won't be with you anymore but I'll end up somewhere else. What should I do?" I asked desperately.

"Well, I suppose all we can do is hope. Try, Fawnabelle. Hopefully it will work. But, if not, you will go to the place you need to be the most," Gandalf replied.

"Thanks, Gandalf. I feel better," I sighed. I did feel better but that didn't stop me from worrying. I thought as hard as I could. I thought it was silly but it was worth a try. I saw myself in The Lonely Mountain. I thought I had done it but a bright light came and I remember crumbling down to the ground.