One by one, the eagles dropped the company off on the high rock known as the Carrock. Thorin was laid gently on the ground, and everyone quickly rushed to his side.

"Thank you." Agarwaen said to the bird that had carried her. It screeched in reply, and flew away. When she reached Thorin, Gandalf was bent over, a hand over Thorin's face, uttering a spell. The dwarf seemed to have the life forced back into him, as his eyes flew open and he looked around. He asked for Bilbo, to which Gandalf responded and told him that the hobbit was alright. Thorin then stood with the help of Dwalin and Kili.

"You," He said rather harshly to Bilbo, who's relieved smile quickly fell. Agarwaen feared the worst when he continued on, "What were you doing? You nearly got yourself killed. Did I not say that you would be a burden?" Thorin began stalking toward Bilbo. She made a move to step in and defend the hobbit, but Gandalf blocked her with his staff. "That you would not survive in the wild, that you had no place amongst us?" She was confused by his words. Bilbo fought honorably and courageously. He deserved mountains of respect for his actions. "I have never been so wrong in all my life." Thorin said as he pulled Bilbo into a hug. Agarwaen's shoulders dropped in relief, and she let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, smiling faintly as the other dwarves grinned and cheered.

"I am sorry I doubted you." Thorin added.

"No, I would have doubted me too." Bilbo said. "I'm not a hero, or a warrior," He looked over to the elf, "Or a wanderer. Not even a burglar." However, Agarwaen thought differently. His bravery made him a hero to her. It made him a warrior in his own way, and any hobbit brave enough to leave the comforts of home behind is a wanderer too.

The eagles, who had been lingering around them, finally took off across the sky, bringing the company's attention to what lay in the distance.

"Erebor." Gandalf spoke. "The lonely mountain; the last of the great dwarf kingdoms of middle earth." Agarwaen looked on, and even though having seen it several times, she felt the sense of memories and longing that hovered around the dwarves.

"Our home." Thorin said proudly. They then spotted a thrush fly by, toward the mountain, taking it as a good omen.

"I do believe the worst is behind us." Bilbo said, and Agarwaen did not have the heart to tell him otherwise. It was only beginning, and they had no idea of the dangers they faced ahead. She pushed the thought away, and just wanted to be happy in this moment. They were halfway there.

The group then began descending down the stairs that wrapped around the carrock, Agarwaen in the middle of the group this time, Thorin in the back. Once the stairs had disappeared and there was just a narrow path to follow, she heard her name called.

"Agarwaen." It was Thorin, who used her name for the first time since they met. It surprised her a little, but she approached the king nevertheless. The rest of the company moved on, per his orders as well.

"What is it?" She asked.

"I just wanted to tell you I'm sorry." He began, in a nicer tone she'd rarely ever heard before. "For how we've been treating you, and for leaving you behind in the mountains. You still came back and jumped in after us, and you were willing to die down there to buy us time. We have not been fair to you, and for that I apologize." Although she anticipated those words when he first called her over, she still was a little shocked. Never did she ever think that he would apologize to her.

"Thank you, Thorin." She said, quite unsure of what to say.

"I feel like I must ask, though, why did you come back? You could have left the mountains and been rid of us. Bilbo's reasoning is one thing, but I am curious to hear yours." What was she supposed to tell him? That this quest was merely a strategy for war? That she cared not for the dwarves reclaiming their home? She never did care about that side of the quest. At least she didn't think so. When she pulled herself up the mountain, it was because there was a greater purpose. When she refused to abandon them, it was for the greater purpose. But what about in the tunnels where she was willing to die first instead of the youngest dwarf like the goblin king intended? That was not for the greater purpose. So then what was it for?

"There have been many times in my life where I was faced with a decision. To do the right thing, or just take the easy way out." She said slowly, trying to find the right words. "And every time, I can't bring myself to just...let it be. No matter who or what I'm defending, no matter if they've been good to me or not, I just can't stand back and not intervene." Every word she spoke was honest. Even if the price for doing what's right broke her, she still did it. "You lost your home and your people to the dragon, and the elves did not lift a finger. I want to be different. I want to help. I couldn't risk you not making it to the mountain by Durin's day, and I couldn't let any of you die as long as I was alive." She looked down at him, realizing that while she told this truth to him, she was discovering it for herself too. "That's why I couldn't leave you, even if you left me."

Thorin mulled over her words. The words of an honorable person, indeed, no matter the race. It made him feel all the more guilty for leaving her behind. Leaving a good woman to die.

"You need not stay separate from our group any longer. If you so choose, our fire, food, and camp belong to you just as much as it does to us. I would even go as far to say that it is an honor to have such a noble heart among us." Agarwaen had to try hard not to keep her jaw from dropping, but also felt guilt welling up inside her. Would a noble heart really regret doing the right thing? She knew turning on her kin was right, but she regretted it every second of every day.

"Thank you, my king. It is an honor for me to be able to fight and travel alongside you and your kin."

"I am glad you think so." He nodded. "Now let's be going before they leave without us." The two then silently walked along the path to catch up with the group.

"Bilbo," Thorin called upon rejoining the company. "Azog is undoubtedly still trying to trail us. Do you think you could go scout behind us to try and spot him?"

"Um, yes, sure. I... what if I'm spotted?"

"Keep your wits about you, and you won't be seen master Baggins. I trust you will be alright." The hobbit nodded, took in a deep breath, and started back to the hills and rocks facing west.

"When he gets back, we have some time," Thorin said after Bilbo had left. "We can stop for a while, rest, clean up, and dress wounds. We'll continue on in a few hours."

"If my memory serves correct, here's a shallow spot in the Great River of Wilderland, over this way." Agarwaen pointed south. We can cross the river there too."

"Very well then. We'll have to keep an extra eye out tonight though, as the wargs could pick up our scent at any time, and they are still dangerously near." Agarwaen approached Gandalf with a hushed voice.

"If we need somewhere safe to spend the night and regroup, do you think Beorn, the skin changer, would let us stay? I know you and I he would have no issue with, but what of them?"

"I was just thinking the same thing." Gandalf responded. "I think it would be a good idea to spend the night somewhere safe, and I also think I may have an idea to get him to agree to help us."

"Do you think the dwarves will agree to staying with him though?"

"That remains to be seen." It wasn't too much longer before Bilbo came back, with news of Azog.

"How far is the pack?" Thorin asked.

"Not very close. Several leagues away, I'd say. But we have another problem."

"Did they see you? They saw you?" Gandalf asked.

"No, that's not it."

"See, what did I tell you? Quiet as a mouse." Gandalf said, prompting all the dwarves to voice their agreement. Agarwaen rolled her eyes. What was the problem? She was just about to ask him herself, when he spoke over everyone.

"Will you just listen!" Everyone finally quieted down. I am trying to tell you there is something else out there.

"What form did it take?" Gandalf asked.

"Did it look like a bear, Bilbo?" Agarwaen added.

"Y-yes. But much bigger." Him along with the company become confused as to how their two eldest members knew about this beast. Questions arose from the group, asking what their next move should be.

"His name is Beorn." Agarwaen interrupted their questions. "He is a skin changer, and can take the form of a bear. With the sunrise, he is likely heading home as we speak."

"Does he pose a threat to us?" Thorin asked.

"Only at night, when he roams outside his home. During the day, he is a kind man who just might help us. If you do not anger him, that is."

"We're running low on provisions." Dwalin said to Thorin. "We lost quite a bit in the tunnels."

"You trust him for aid?" the dwarven king asked.

"As long as Gandalf and I do the talking, yes. Even a safe place to sleep tonight could be a possibility. But we should give him some time to return home before we go parading around his property."

"Alright, then it's settled. We wash up, then pay this friend of theirs a visit."

"You trust her word?" Dwalin asked rather audibly.

"Yes." Thorin responded firmly.

~~~~~~~~~~

PLEASE READ:

Ok, so from here until the Woodland realm, the story will be a mix of the movie, the book, and a little bit of my own improvisation. Simply because I like the book version of the beginning of DoS better than the movie, and tying them together will need some extra pieces of my own.

There will also be a couple fun chapters coming up, and one of my all time favorite chapters that I've written for this story so far (And I'm currently writing chapter 50 today). Things will start looking up before they come crumbling down in Mirkwood, so enjoy the little bit of upcoming happiness while you can lol

As always, thank you guys so much reading my story and do drop a comment if you have any suggestions or constructive criticism!!