Hours went by without a dull moment, and finally the sun had begun to set. The alcohol had just begun wearing off, and Agarwaen was just wrapping up her story about how she knew the goblin king as they finished up dinner, when Gandalf walked in the front door.

"Where have you been all day?" Everyone asked at once in one way or another.

"And where is Beorn?" Agarwaen asked, wobbling as she stood up too fast.

"One question at a time, and none until I have eaten something. I haven't had one bite since breakfast." Gandalf responded, and sat down at the large table in the middle of the room where remnants of supper still sat. They all waited impatiently as the wizard ate, moderately upset that he had left them without a word.

"I've been following bear tracks." The wizard began. "They led all the way out and past the Carrock and through the stream, back towards where we had our little party with the orcs. I think that answers your other question as well.

"And what if he should lead Azog to us?" Thorin questioned, and turned to Agarwaen. "You said he was a friend of yours, not of theirs!"

"He is a friend of mine. He hates orcs." She replied.

"You're drunk, what am I even asking you for?" Thorin muttered bitterly. Gandalf looked at Agarwaen in surprise. "If he is leading Azog back to us, we need to prepare for another battle. Did the tracks you were following lead back?"

"He is not leading him this way, Thorin." Gandalf said.

"Then what is he doing?"

"He is finding out for himself if we were telling him the truth."

"From the tale you spun to introduce us to him?"

"Yes."

"Well, we cannot sit around for another day, waiting for him to return. We must leave tomorrow morning if we are to make it to the mountain in time."

"Just give him some time, Thorin, and when he returns to find we are not liars, he might grant us use of his ponies and weigh us down with enough provisions to get us to the mountain twice." Thorin thought about it.

"I give him until tomorrow afternoon, and no later." The dwarves voiced their agreement, and the whole company then went on talking amongst themselves. Agarwaen tried to snatch another drink from Nori, who quickly moved it out of the way.

"Everyone is in agreement, lass, no more for you until we all lie dead in the ground." The dwarf laughed. She was already going to have to be of sound-ish mind to lead the way in the morning, so she really did not need any more whatsoever.

"I'll teach you how to pickpocket better," She offered with a sly smile. "A wanderer has to make a living somehow, y'know." Nori considered her offer, and slowly slid her his mug. She grinned and was about to lift it to her mouth when Dwalin walked by and grabbed it from her hands.

"Hey!" He just grinned at her and handed it back to Nori. Gandalf was genuinely confused and wondered what he had missed. They went from hating each other, leaving her for dead, to now suddenly treating her like another dwarf. And now she was drunk. She knew the importance of this quest. She knew she had to remain in control of her thoughts. This journey was not a joking matter.

"What have I missed since I left? I am honestly quite lost." Gandalf said to Balin, who was seated next to him.

"The lass beat my brother in combat." The dwarf answered. Gandalf was not surprised, but that explained this sudden respect the dwarves seemed to hold for her. "And then Fili challenged her to a drinking contest." Gandalf sighed.

"And she didn't back down, I take it?"

"No. She's... very competitive." Balin laughed. " Are you sure she's an elf, Gandalf?"

"She buries what she is because she is ashamed of her blood. She tried so hard to not be like her kin, thus uncovering something new that she could be. And it has been her ever since."

~~~~~~~~~~

"You know the importance of this quest, Agarwaen!" Gandalf yelled at her. They stood outside, away from prying ears. "Especially now that we know Azog is still alive, and what he wants. There is war coming, and the more time goes on, the more crucial it is that we gain control of the mountain. This is no time to be getting drunk and partying with dwarves!"

"But nothing happened, did it? Everything is still fine. They know not of threats of war, and we are still set to move on tomorrow. The only thing to be worried about is the path Thorin is making us take."

"What path?"

"The old elven path. He's worried that we won't reach the mountain in time if we take the old Forest Road."

"Were you drunk when he told you that too?"

"No! He didn't give me much choice in the matter this morning."

"Do you think we can get by without coming too close?"

"I hope so. Otherwise I shan't be alive to see the mountain again."

"And what of the river?"

"I think the bridge still stands."

"It's been a hundred and seventy years since you've been there, you really think so?"

"If the path is still used from time to time with trading routes and such, then most likely, yes."

"I am trusting you to get them there safe. I might not be entering the forest with you."

"What?"

"The looming war is turning out to be worse than we initially thought. Much, much worse. I need to find out for myself what is going on."

"Is this about the whole necromancer thing?"

"No human conjurer should be able to resurrect one of the nine. Something more sinister is at work here. Something much older than you, and something I fear we will not be able to stop."

"I will get them there, Gandalf. I'm sorry I have forgotten my job. I will not become distracted again."

"I have nothing against you having a merry time and becoming close with the company, but when it begins to cloud your judgement, it has gone too far."

"I know. I'm sorry. I knew it was stupid from the beginning, but I did it anyway. And...I'm not just close with the company. I am part of it now."

"Thorin offered you a place in his company? He's willing to share the treasure with you?" Gandalf asked, amazed at this new development.

"Yes, last night before we all went to sleep. I signed the contract."

"Now that is interesting. You must really have impressed him to earn such trust."

"I guess so." She smiled slightly before growing serious again. "You're not going to investigate this alone, are you?"

"I am."

"But--"

"No one else seems to believe me. Sauruman has forbidden pursuit of the subject, which sounds questionable to me, but maybe if I get proof that something is afoot, we can stop it before it is too late." Agarwaen nodded. "Also...Keep an eye on Bilbo for me. I fear he has stronger ties to whatever is going on than he should."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I cannot say. Not yet. Just keep him safe, will you?"

"I will. I would die before I see any of them harmed."