I do not own RWBY or any Tolkien related material, and have no claim on either of them. The idea for this story is mine and is purely for fun.

Far too late, here's the latest chapter.

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Ruby was glad that Bofur had an extra pair of leather vambraces, as the sleeves on her elven dress had become annoying. At first they were fun, being able to swish them around – it made her feel just a tad girly, which was an indulgence she rarely nourished, as she on principal tried to avoid being like those girls ("painting nails, trying on clothes, and talking about cute boys" as Penny would put it). After all, what good does being girly do when you're hunting Grimm? They won't wait for you to fix your nails or make sure your hair is right… though with Weiss, it's possible the Grimm just might wait. She's weird like that.

Back to the point, the sleeves were just too swishy and airy for her preference, and with her fighting style they'd get caught on her scythe or her new sword. So having them corralled was a minor blessing as they traveled. Dwalin suggested just cutting off the excess, but in the same vein that made her feel girly, she refused to intentionally damage the beautiful dress, regardless of how annoying it may be.

But aside from that minor thing, the journey they were undertaking had been more difficult than the previous leg up to Rivendell – excluding the Trolls and Orcs. Not that it was exceptionally hard at first, just more tedious and rough in Ruby's opinion. The first couple of days weren't bad, as it was just walking through mountain woods on a clearly marked path, and then skimming the edges of the mountains.

Ruby had made the effort to enjoy the beauty of Middle-Earth. Traversable mountains were a rarity on Remnant, and hiking said mountains for recreation was begging for a Grimm attack – it just wasn't done, not without having some combat training or a Hunter escort. Even in areas closer to the main kingdoms. But here in Middle-Earth, while you still had to be on guard from creatures trying to mislead a traveler with fake paths (according to the Dwarves), there was peace. Having never been in this type of environment, Ruby was trying to absorb as much as possible. Who knows when I'll be able to do something like this again and not constantly be on guard?

The Dwarves seemed to have caught on to her mindset and took some amusement from it, as there was little else for them to get it from. Though, thankfully for her social anxiety, they chose not to comment on it. Their focus was on making their way through the wilds. Water was thankfully easy to come by, as there were numerous runoffs from snow melt. Ruby could not get enough of the water, it was so clean and cool –almost too cold. And no, it was not just the elevation dehydration that made her enjoy it.

At nights the stars shone overhead, and Ruby (timidly) had asked about them. Balin, the most scholarly of the group, pointed out constellations and special stars. Bilbo had also chimed in on occasion, telling different constellations Hobbits had. Ruby kept up with her journal, writing down her observations and what she learned –Weiss would be proud of me for keeping such detailed notes. Ugh, don't ruin the mood with Weissness.

But after those first several days the climate changed drastically. The Misty Mountains that Ruby had admired a week ago… well, they were climbing them now. Altitude was definitely a thing as breathing got slightly harder to do every passing day, and the air got colder and dryer. All the while the weather got harsher. There was snow now, meaning cold days and colder nights. Some days they'd wake up to find their sleeping rolls dusted with snow. Ruby enjoyed the journey less now, the cold being something her clothing was not exactly suited for, though her cloak kept the worst of the wind chill at bay. The beauty she'd seen in these mountains held great danger, as they'd more than once had to avoid falling rocks and the occasional boulder. Conversation even lessened, as their voices echoed with an eerie cadence, the natural silence of the mountains stifling the unnatural sounds of living beings imposing on their turf.

Despite all of these gripes, Ruby kept her mouth shut. After all, compared to what the dwarves had gone through, my discomfort is nothing. And I don't think they'd appreciate my complaining and I don't want them to think I'm a spoiled girl… Now that I think about it, I'm sure Weiss would be suffering. Those heels would be a killer. Ruby had stifled the urge to giggle at that thought – it would've been too awkward to explain. Yang would be having the time of her life – aside from the lack of shampoo and conditioner, and Blake… well, she'd probably have gotten lost in Rivendell's library and never be seen again.

Ruby also tried to keep Bilbo's spirits up, as he seemed to get glummer and glummer as the days went by, and Thorin's ambivalence didn't help. Bofur and Balin seemed to catch onto his mood and made overtures of companionship to him, trying to make him feel more like the group. His mood was completely understandable considering the comfortable life he had before joining the company. However, she didn't want to see him call it quits. At some level she feared that if he did, the company would fall apart. Obviously the Dwarves would continue onwards regardless with the stubbornness that she's gotten somewhat used to, and she was afraid that Thorin wouldn't even care, but the spirit of the company would wane. And it was also partially because of her that he was here, so she felt responsible for keeping him with the group.

Though now that I think of it, we're already missing members. Where's Gandalf? Ruby wasn't alone in that thought; they hadn't seen or heard head or tail of him since Rivendell. After Ruby relayed to them most of what happened in the meeting she went to (she left out the parts of the Necromancer and other specifics), Thorin informed them that Gandalf had spoken to him before they left and it was his idea they leave before dawn. The plan was that he'd catch up once they reached the mountains, but with his absence, they gruffly assumed that he got held up covering for them. However, his absence was problematic, as some of them had been hoping to use the wizard's vast knowledge to traverse the Misty Mountains in expedient time. With the Grey Wizard not here, they had to rely on their own knowledge (which wasn't lacking, just not as knowledgeable). They all seemed to be making decent time in spite of it, the muttered conversations the Dwarves had stating this. Now that they had a deadline, Durin's Day, the last day of August, a sense of urgency was instilled to make it before that date.

However, that haste became a slow shuffle as the conditions took a steep dive. Not in elevation, per-se, but in tolerability. As they were heading down from a ridge they got caught in a mountain storm. Two storms actually, as the company got caught in a pincer movement from a storm coming from the valleys and a storm coming down from the higher mountains.

It was this moment, as rain pounded them, that Ruby decided she really didn't like Middle-Earth anymore.

This is horrible! Ruby thought as they hugged the cliffside as a railing. The rain was coming down so hard it felt like it was razor blades trying to cut her skin. She almost wanted to flare her Aura but there was no real need and would just wear her out. Actually, Ruby reconsidered as a rock tumbled in front of her, barely missing Ori, I should do that, just to avoid getting brained by a rock.

The path was far too narrow in her opinion, and if she weren't confident in the Dwarves' sense of direction she would've thought they'd taken a wrong path. One misstep on the unforgiving ground could send one of them into the ravine far, far below. Now's not a good time to develop a fear of heights Ruby! she chastised herself.

Her observation was almost prophetic unfortunately as Bilbo (of course it would be Bilbo!) slipped on something –either a loose or rained soaked slick rock, maybe both- and if it weren't for Dwalin and Bofur grabbing him… yeah, Ruby didn't want to think of it.

"We must find shelter!" Thorin shouted at the front. But where though? Ruby wanted to ask sarcastically, but kept it to herself. It was unnecessary. She did let out a grunt though.

"LOOK OUT!" Dwalin suddenly shouted. Ruby snapped her head in the direction he was looking and what warmth her blood had vanished as she saw an absolutely massive boulder sailing through the air. The worst part was it was coming right towards them!

Ruby shrieked in fright as the boulder shattered somewhere above them. The shards and chunks rained down and the Company hugged the cliff to try and avoid the worst. Ruby covered her head and prepared her Aura to protect herself. Aside from two fist sized rocks bouncing off her back, she was fortunate, along with the rest of the Company, to not have gotten any worse.

"This is no thunderstorm! It's a thunder-battle!" Balin exclaimed. Ruby didn't have to ask what that was. Her jaw dropped at the sight across the ravine. An enormous thing made of stone rose from the mountainside, vaguely humanoid shaped, larger than any Grimm Ruby thought could (or should) exist. She didn't even want to think about battling something that size, and certainly not in this weather.

"The legends are true! Giants! Stone-Giants!" Bofur shouted in equal parts awe and terror. A hollow, alien, moan reverberated through the air. The Stone-Giant ripped a chunk of mountain off of where it had been resting and threw it, almost in slow motion. It's not throwing it at us, Ruby thought with no small amount of relief, though that relief was short lived as they saw another Stone-Giant appear around the bend they'd some time ago passed. The sailing mountain chunk hit and deflected off the second Stone-Giant's chest, causing it to stumble against their side of the mountain. Once again, rocks and debris fell upon them as it shook the mountain. We're sitting ducks out here!

Even after the Stone-Giant fell though, the ground still shook. The path's edges, already too close, started falling away and a crack appeared under Kili's feet, which went into the mountain. The Company was divided in two as the crack grew wider, and wider… and wider. I have a really bad feeling about this. Ruby struggled to keep her balance on the shaking ground. She looked up.

They had followed a path that had apparently led onto the legs of a third Stone-Giant. They were now split in two as members of the Company were on both legs of the Stone-Giant as it started to rise from its resting place. However, it was interrupted as one of the Stone-Giants charged in and head-butted it, causing it to fall back. Ruby had to bring out Crescent Rose and bury it into the stone leg to keep her balance as the thing teetered. She swore she heard an echoed moan from somewhere, unrelated to the head-butt the thing received. Grimacing, she thought, I really hope it doesn't react to that.

She no longer paid attention to the fight as she held on to her weapon. A little less than half the Company was with her, the rear group to be precise, as she'd stayed closer towards the rear as they traveled. This is madness! These things exist here! This is both so awesome and so terrifying at the same time! I think I'm going with terrifying at the moment. Ruby couldn't fathom how these Stone-Giants came to be – what sort of magic (it had to be magic!) animated mountains to come alive, and the implications were worrying.

The leg swung around and she grabbed onto somebody when she saw him alarmingly start to stumble - maybe it was Ori, she couldn't tell. At one point the Stone-Giant's leg passed by the other group, close enough that she could hear their cries of panic. They were on solid rock then and she could've jumped off to join them, but she needed to hold on to the dwarf in her hand.

It was utter madness.

Something happened to the Stone-Giant they were on, as it suddenly started to fall. The leg they were on started to fall toward the unmoving and very solid mountainside, promising a fatal impact caused by crushing. Even Aura could only do so much. In an uncharacteristic moment, Ruby cursed. "Oh shizzzz!"

Impact. The entire group got flung off and crashed into the mountain. However, fortune seemed to have mercy on them for that one moment as the Stone-Giant's leg collided with an overhang and threw them onto a flat part of the mountain path. Only a few stones and rubble covered them. Ruby groaned as she laid on the rocks, feeling several resting on her back. That could've gone better… Though it could've been a whole lot worse.

The other half of the Company scrambled along the jagged path, rushing to see if they were safe (or dead). Judging by the audible gasp of relief Ruby could hear over the rain, they assumed the worst. Yeah, I'd probably think that too if I saw my team get presumably crushed. Ruby saw Thorin's relieved face and gave a weary smile and a thumbs-up. He nodded his head in acknowledgement.

They started untangling and picking themselves off of the ground, and Ruby collected Crescent Rose, giving it a once over to look for any damage. Despite being made of dense dust-reinforced metals, aside from the blade, the rest of it wasn't really designed for having rocks/boulders bashed into it.

"Where's Bilbo? Where's the Hobbit?" Bofur's question was like getting dunked with ice water (and yes, she knew what that felt like thanks to her 'dear sister'). Ruby felt her eyes widen as she twisted her head around, looking for any sign of Bilbo. Someone spotted him, and Ruby saw a pair of hands grasping the cliff ledge. Oh no. Ori and Bofur dove for him, but were just a second too late to stop him from slipping. Ruby had a minor heart attack as Bilbo fell, but he apparently had gotten another hand-hold as the two were still trying to reach him. It was agony not knowing what was happening, and for a second, Ruby froze. I could help, I can pull him up with Crescent Rose!

Before Ruby could act, Thorin vaulted over the side, grabbing Bilbo and hoisting him up. More of Bilbo rose until he was fully on solid ground. However, now Thorin was the one in trouble as he slipped. If it weren't for Dwalin holding onto him, he would've fallen. With a huge amount of effort Thorin was lifted back onto their ledge, and Ruby finally let the breath she held out.

"I thought we lost our burglar," Dwalin gasped, part in jibe and part in relief, as Thorin lurched to his feet.

"He's been lost ever since he left home," Thorin spat, frustration crossing his face. "He should never have come. He has no place amongst us." Ruby couldn't believe the vitriol Thorin let loose from his mouth, especially just after Bilbo almost lost his life… again. She could tell Thorin was upset about something and was lashing out indiscriminately, but it didn't justify the attack on Bilbo. Ruby felt her mouth open to argue back, going to say something in defense of Bilbo.

"Thorin. Enough." Her rebuke cut through the rain, carrying the sternness it intended. Thorin spared her a look, the debate to continue arguing flashing through his eyes, before he just grunted and marched off.

The emotional whiplash and the harrowing day (and past week) suddenly hit her and she felt exhausted. Physically she was fine, but she was worn down – enough that there wasn't anything else she could say. He's wrong anyway. He'll see it eventually…

Thorin headed towards a crack in the mountain wall he'd spotted, and walked into it. Apparently it was a cave and the Company followed Thorin inside, desperately eager to get out of the rain and wind and other mayhem that could happen outside. Ruby was worried that this cave (which was pretty convenient in her opinion) was part of another Stone-Giant, as who knows what could be safe at this point, but Nori put her worries at ease.

"No, this is not another one of those Giants. The cave dust is too old, too settled."

"Plus I think they all would've woken up for that brawl outside," Fili chimed in, making an excellent point.

Dwalin lit a lantern and marched deeper into the cave, exploring and searching for anything out of the ordinary, scouting it. The Dwarves started drying themselves off, though nobody unpacked yet in case they needed to leave – which wasn't an appealing thought to anybody at the moment.

"There's nothing here," Dwalin finally announced. With that all clear, the Dwarves started setting up camp and everyone seemed to relax a bit… well, all except Thorin (who always seemed high-strung) and Bilbo (who was feeling understandably dejected from Thorin's rant). Ruby came up to Bilbo and put her hand on his shoulder reassuringly, giving him a smile when he looked up at her questioningly. He sighed and nodded after a moment, getting the message she wanted to give. I don't think he felt it though, Ruby thought as he walked away after. She sighed to herself, both irritated at Thorin's harshness and her inability to adequately comfort Bilbo.

The feeling of her wet clothing sticking to her skin suddenly came to the forefront of her mind. She needed to dry off – or just change clothing. The clothes she had from home were thankfully (and surprisingly) dry inside her bag. Ugh, now I just need to find a place to change… Usually while traveling she'd just go off a little ways and change out in the wild – the first few days/weeks weaning her off of any embarrassment of changing outdoors, because honestly - who'd be out there at the right time just to see her change? But here in a confined space with thirteen Dwarves and a Hobbit – all male by the way… yeah…

It was lucky she found a small offshoot of the cave that she could change in privately, after getting Nori to temporarily act as a guard. Ruby came out dressed in her usual clothes, not her elven ones. Ahhh… it's amazing what clean clothes can do for your mood. She definitely felt better now.

The Dwarves had made camp, spreading their gear out to dry and getting prime sleeping spots. As prime as they could be when your choices were rock and more rock. Gloin dropped some spare wood from his pack on the ground and made to make a fire, but Thorin abruptly stopped him. "No. No fires. Not in this place." Ruby was a bit sad, but understood. If the literal mountains can come alive, what else is there that could find us?

"Get some sleep, we start at first light," Thorin gave out instructions. Balin came up to him, and in the echoes of the cave, Ruby could make out their words.

"We were to wait in the mountains until Gandalf joined us. That was the plan," Balin said.

Thorin simply said, "Plans change. Bofur, take the first watch," he told the Dwarf. Ruby had no idea what he meant by 'plans change'. It's probably him being pig-headed and trying to do his own thing on his own, Ruby thought as she picked a flat spot to put her sleeping roll down. She didn't have a high opinion of Thorin after his comments about Bilbo. Hopefully it was just because of the storm and almost falling.

Though Ruby had the feeling it was deeper than that. And she also had the feeling that it would only grow until something happened.

It was with these troubling thoughts that Ruby fell asleep after a cold meal. Though with all that happened, she was out like a light. Her dreams were of cold and dampness, and also of falling into dark ravines far below.

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Several hours had passed. Bilbo knew it was time. No sense in putting it off any further. He packed his stuff as quietly and quickly as he could and hoisted the pack onto his back. The road back will be difficult until I get to Rivendell. Then it should be just a simple walk back. Though I could stay in Rivendell. That wouldn't be so bad… But no. No, The Shire is where I belong. I've been gone long enough as it is.

Bilbo grabbed his walking stick and started to carefully creep around the sleeping forms of the Dwarves. Most of them were Dwarves anyway. His eyes momentarily wandered over to the red-cloaked figure of Ruby, who like usual, created a bright splash of color in world with her clothing – standing out in more ways than one. He took a look at her sleeping face, her mouth slightly parted as she breathed, her uniquely colored hair, getting one last look before he left. A bittersweet smile crossed his face. She'd tried to encourage me, one of the few who did. But despite her efforts… well, I'm sorry I'm disappointing you. Farewell Ruby Rose. He started moving and made a point not to look back. If he did he didn't know if he could continue forward.

Successfully navigating the maze of bodies, Bilbo made for the entrance of their cave. But unfortunately for his getaway, someone noticed his passing.

"Where do you think you're going?" Bilbo halted as Bofur's hushed voice called to him. The Dwarf was still on his watch and unfortunately had not fallen asleep like Bilbo hoped.

Partly in annoyance and partly out of obligation to at least provide an answer for him, he turned around and faced the Dwarf, face set in determination and stubbornness. "Back to Rivendell."

Bofur reacted with surprising worry, as he scrambled onto his feet. "No, no, you can't turn back now, eh? You're part of the company. You're one of us."

"I'm not, though, am I?" It's been made abundantly clear that I will never be a part of it. "Thorin said I should never have come and he was right. I'm not a Took, I'm a Baggins. I don't know what I was thinking. I let myself get carried away." The sad part was that for a while I did actually think I could be a part of this. "I should never have run out my door," he finished with finality.

"You're homesick. I understand," Bofur tried to reassure him.

"No you don't! You don't understand - none of you do!" Bilbo whisper shouted in frustration, wanting to be understood – that they were too different and lived vastly different lives. "You're Dwarves. You're used to this life. To living on the road, never settling in one place - never belonging anywhere!"

Bilbo realized that he said something unforgivable as he saw Bofur's face fall in the stark reminder of reality. "I-I am sorry. I didn't-" He cut himself off. Nothing he could say or apologize for would make up for his tactless comment. Remorse flooded through him.

"No, you're right." Bilbo looked at Bofur's solemn face as the Dwarf looked at his companions – his family. "We don't belong anywhere."

They both remained in silence, the weight of their words hanging in the air.

Bofur finally turned back to Bilbo. "I wish you all the luck in the world. I really do." Some part of Bilbo wished that Bofur had tried a little harder to have him stay, some part of him wanted a reason to stay – a part that had enjoyed the journey so far. But that was just an emotional response, and cold reason was what was urging Bilbo to leave.

Bofur clasped Bilbo on the shoulder, and the Hobbit returned the gesture, grasping the Dwarf's arm in a final farewell. With no more words to be spoken, Bilbo turned to leave.

"What's that?" Bofur's questioning voice once again halted him.

"Hmm?" Bilbo followed his line of sight to his waist – specifically his Elven sword… which was emitting a pale-blue light from the sheath. He pulled it out, needing to confirm what it meant. The blade was glowing. Gandalf's words came back to him, when he first received the weapon from the Wizard. "The blade is of Elvish make, as is yours Ruby, which means it will glow blue when Orcs or Goblins are nearby."

Bilbo met Bofur's eyes, both stunned. Oh no. Ominously, there was a dull clank and thud, like the latch of a heavy door being opened, and then the sound of falling sand as a line formed in the ground as the sand fell through the crack that had suddenly appeared. More worrying wooden creaking and cranking sounds were heard from under them.

Behind them, Thorin bolted upright, wide awake, and shouted to the company, "Wake up! Wake up!"

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Thorin's shout ripped Ruby from her sleep, but it was the jarring, horrible feeling of rolling and falling that truly woke her. She barely comprehended that the rest of the Company was falling right with her, before she hit and rolled off a rock, and continued to fall and slide. Shocked exclamations and pained grunts slipped out of her lips as the rough tumble continued, echoing with the Dwarves' own. It felt like a brief eternity, as the abrupt awakening left her disoriented for the entirety of the fall. What the heck is going on?!

Eventually their tumble ended just as abruptly as it started with the company landing in some sort of ramshackle cradle. Most of them landing on top of one other. Oh God, I think Bombur landed on my spine… Or at least it felt like it – all the Dwarves in armor felt the same.

A host of horrendously shrieking things scuttled towards the disoriented group; ugly faces and pointed teeth, short, squat, pale, and many armed with some sort of blade, though mainly they were trying to grab them. Ruby couldn't grab her weapons in time and had to resort to trying to kick the creatures away. But there were so many of them that they crawled over each other to get to the Company, and were surprisingly strong, two or three managing to throw each Dwarf into the rest of the waiting horde.

Ruby felt two of the creatures (they must be related to those orcs, Ruby thought) grab her and shove her forwards. One of them pulled out her elvish sword and the other robbed her of her gear, Crescent Rose included. As much as Ruby was pained to see her beloved weapon in the hands of these creatures, it was treated differently than a weapon. Probably because it was in its storage form and they didn't recognize it as one.

The Dwarves were putting up as much resistance as they could without weapons, Dwalin was the most stubborn, punching and head-butting the creatures around them. But they were swiftly dragged, pushed, prodded, and carried further into the cavern. And enough of them threatening them with sharp weapons quelled any serious attempt to escape.

Why is it every time we're fighting monsters we're doing it on a few hours of sleep? Ruby asked herself that question as she was 'led' along, her grogginess trying to hold on to her mind despite all the stimuli. She could've escaped with her Semblance, but only her could escape that way and she would've left the others to the not-so-tender mercies of these creatures. Through the chaotic mess, Ruby caught glimpses of where they were. There were many structures made out of wood in the deep, dark cavern, lit intermittently by torches. The structures were ramshackle, but they looked like they were sturdy like the bridges they crossed. There were also bats that fluttered around. That stuck out for an odd reason.

However, she had a more pressing question. "What are these things?!" Ruby finally shouted, hoping one of the Dwarves would answer.

"Goblins," Gloin shouted back. "Vile bastards the lot of 'em!" In retaliation, he earned a harsher shove from one of the goblins.

As they were marched along, Ruby tried to spot out each member of the Company. For once she was the tallest being present (for what little it counted) and could see above the heads of the goblins. She counted every Dwarf, but there was one member she couldn't see. Where's Bilbo? Where is he? Struggling with the goblins holding her, she tried to get a better look behind her, but with the river of goblins it was impossible. Her worry grew.

A red light reflected off of the stones ahead and echoes of a much larger group of Goblins increased in volume until they were led to a massive cavern, filled with Goblins and their rickety structures. It looks like a worse version of Mountain Glenn's underground! Well, actually exactlyworse, but bad in it's own way. 'Cuz it's not abandoned here.

They were led to a wooden platform raised in the middle of the cavern where a massive and fat Goblin sat on a throne, holding a staff with some animal's skull on the top. Is… he like the Alpha goblin or something? Or King? Worryingly, around the platform were bones and skeletons of clearly humanoid origins.

They stopped and the Goblins piled their weapons and bags in a heap - Ruby spotted her own bag (she didn't ever realize it was missing until then, must've fallen down when we did), Crescent Rose, and her glowing elvish blade get added to it.

The Goblin King then stepped off of his throne, using other goblins as a stair, uncaring that he squished them, and spoke. "Who are these miserable persons? Who would be so bold as to come armed into my kingdom?"

"Dwarves, Your Malevolence," one of the goblins answered, "and a little human girl."

"Hey, I'm taller than you," Ruby sniped back, though it went unheard by the goblins –probably for the best, though she heard Fili snort at the quip.

"Dwarves and a human?" The Goblin King repeated.

"We found them on the Front Porch!"

"Well don't just stand there!" The King said. "Search them! Every crack, every crevice!" If it were possible, the goblins got even rougher as they tore off nearly everything they could from the dwarves. Ruby felt some goblin nick her extra magazines and yank on her cloak, trying to tear it off, and she cried out. Thankfully her clasps held and the goblin gave up, though it had hurt. Feeling a bit of anger, Ruby tried to make a break for her weapons, but the goblins seemed to anticipate this and grabbed her again. Ruby growled at her foiled effort and decided to wait for a more opportune moment.

After a moment of this frisking, the Goblin King then asked, "What are you doing in these parts? Up to no good, I'll warrant! Spying? Thieving? Murderers and friends of Elves and Humans I see. Come! What say you?" The Company remained silent, and Ruby held her breath (for some reason). "Speak," the King commanded, threateningly. Still no one spoke. "Very well. If they will not talk, we'll make them squawk!" He shouted, and the crowds of goblins started hooting and cheering. "Bring up the Mangler! Bring up the Bonebreaker! We'll start with the girl, we'll have fun with her alright!"

Ruby did actually squawk as she realized they were talking about her, and started to wiggle in the goblin's grasp. I don't want to know what those things he called for are, but they don't sound like they'll be good for me.

"Wait!" Thorin's shout echoed through the cavern, silencing and stilling the goblins. Thorin walked forward, and Ruby saw that his face was resolute.

"Well, well, well! Look who it is," the Goblin King announced in a grandiose and mocking voice. "Thorin, son of Thráin, son of Thrór… King Under the Mountain." The Goblin King jeeringly bowed, but then stopped himself. "Oh! But I'm forgetting you don't have a mountain! And you're not a king, which makes you… nobody really," the Goblin King finished sorrowfully, as if pitting Thorin.

"Might I ask what you were doing up in the mountains, and where you were going? I would ask to know all about you, but since I already do, asking won't do much good. Although… I know someone who knows you much better than I, who would pay a pretty price for your head," the King said. "…Just a head. Nothing attached," he unnecessarily added.

"Perhaps you know of whom I speak," the Goblin King prodded, his voice lowering, taunting. "An old enemy of yours. A pale Orc, astride a white Warg."

"Azog the defiler was destroyed," Thorin muttered, barely restraining himself from shouting. "He was slain in battle long ago."

That name and the description jogged a distant memory for Ruby, when the Dwarves told the tale of… Moria, right? Azog was the leader of the Orcs who killed the Dwarves' king. Didn't Thorin kill him?

"So you think his defiling days are done, do you?" The Goblin King replied, giving an ugly chuckle of knowing something Thorin didn't. The big Goblin turned to a goblin on some zip line contraption. "Send word to the pale Orc," he told the goblin, "tell him 'I have found his prize.'" The Goblin King chuckled again, and the goblins started to party, if such a word could be used for a macabre situation.

Echoing drums started, and while the Company waited for something to happen, the Goblins holding them started to rummage through their stuff again. The Goblin King then cried out, "I feel a song coming on!" And then he started to, well, not really sing, as it was completely tone deaf and off key, straining to reach some of the words. Belch out lyrics?

~"Clap! Snap! The black crack!

Grip, grab, pich, nab!

And down down to Goblin-town

You go my lads!

Clash, crash! Crush, smash!

Hammer and tongs! Knocker and gongs!

You won't last long on the end of my prongs!

Down, down, down in Goblin-town

Ho, ho! My lads!

With a swish and smack

And a whip and a crack

Everybody talks when they're on our rack!

Pound, pound, far underground

Down, down, down in Goblin-town!"~

The Goblin King went on for what seemed like forever, and if Ruby's arms weren't pinned, she would've plugged her ears. Gah, this is the true torture! I'd cut every last goblin down just to end his singing!

"Catchy, isn't it?" The Goblin King said after he finally finished. "It's one of my own compositions."

"That's not a song, that's an abomination!" Balin cried out, looking like he was in physical pain.

"Abominations, mutations, deviations… that's all you're gonna find down here," the King replied, taking enjoyment from their pain. Across the way, Ruby spied horrid looking contraptions, with lots of cranks and spikes, being carried up by goblins. IIIII don't want to find out if my Aura can outlast those things! Those are definitely torture devices. Ruby tried to keep a calm head – she'd been captured before in Mt. Glenn. Albeit Torchwick and the White Fang weren't as barbaric as the goblins. Most they'd done is rough her up a bit. No torture involved.

But right now, it looked like it was in her future. The situation was steadily worsening without a sign of it getting better, and Ruby was debating if making a break for it again was the best option. However, the sudden, pained, terrified screech of a goblin halted the 'festivities' as it flung Thorin's sword, Orcrist away from it. The Goblin King recoiled in fear at the sight and climbed up his throne to get away from it. "I know that sword! It is the Goblin-cleaver! The Biter! The blade that sliced a 1000 necks! Slash them! Beat them! Kill them!" The King cried out in anger and panic.

As the King spoke, the goblins were worked into a frenzy, and they jumped on the Company with whips and claws. Ruby felt a whip strike her face and she screeched in fright, though her Aura protected her from any damage. She saw the goblin's surprised face, seeing as his strike did no damage, and acting on its hesitation she kicked it with a Semblance fueled boot, flinging it far off the edge of the platform into the abyss. The Dwarves weren't faring much better, as they were swarmed from all sides, the goblins clawing and biting and whipping any Dwarf they could reach without regard for who got in their way.

"Kill them all! Cut off his head!" Ruby looked and saw that Thorin was pinned to the floor, a goblin with a knife raised above his head, ready to bring it down.

No. No! "No!" Ruby cried out, reaching for Thorin. I have to save him! Ruby felt a pressure behind her eyes building up, pounding on her head, wanting out. It was different to her Semblance activating, and for a split second, Ruby was confused about the feeling and tried to hold it back.

Then the world flared with white light and everything was blasted away. Goblins, bones, structures, torture devices, and even members of the Company were blown away by the light. Torches were blown out and the cavern was thrust into darkness, save for the light. The shockwave of it dampened and muffled all sound, until all there was, was silence.

The light dimmed, then disappeared, and in its place was the silhouette of a person. Ruby blinked away the spots in her eyes and looked at the figure. As the torches re-lit themselves and their red-orange glow slowly illuminated the cave, Ruby saw a familiar hat and very welcome, bearded face.

Gandalf had come.

Staff in one hand, sword in the other, he commanded an impressive presence, as the dwarves and even the goblins dared not to break the silence. Gandalf looked at the Company and spoke. "Take up arms. Fight. Fight!"

His command broke the calm and the Dwarves gave war cries, shoving the goblins off of themselves, their fighting spirit rekindled. This is my chance! Ruby lunged forward towards their piled weapons and grabbed Silver Thorn, as it was closer than Crescent Rose. Rolling over, she sliced the neck of a goblin that had tried to knife her, and as she rose to one knee, impaled another.

Coming to her feet, she saw that Gandalf was cutting through the goblins that rushed him, using his staff and sword in combination. Ruby took the opportunity to start tossing the Dwarves' weapons back to them, which they grasped and turned on their former captors. She eventually retrieved Crescent Rose, and gave a grin at having her weapon back.

Somewhere she heard the Goblin King exclaim, "He wields the Foe-hammer! The Beater! Bright as daylight!" I presume he's talking about Gandalf's sword, Glamdring. Ruby really didn't pay it any mind, as she was focused on fighting.

In this close quarters combat, Ruby stuck with her sword, which was getting covered in the goblin's putrid black blood. She, piece by piece, gathered her stuff – magazines and bag, all the while fending off goblins. Aside from not wanting to leave anything behind, it would also be a bad idea leaving stuff like her bullets and Scroll in the hands of the goblins.

It was an all out brawl, but the Company was turning the tide and clearing the goblins out. The Goblin King's massive body suddenly lunged forward into the fray, preparing to strike Thorin with his staff. But Thorin now had Orcrist, and deflected his strike. There must've been some elvish magic at work, as Thorin's block caused the Goblin King to stagger backwards far more than he should've, loosing balance, until he smashed into his throne and fell off the platform, taking several other goblins with him.

Gandalf spoke, now that they had fended off the initial wave, "Follow me, quick!" Seeing a path behind him, the Company followed him. Ruby sheathed her sword and brought out Crescent Rose in its sniper form for the range, ready to shoot any goblin that came at them. They took off running across the wooden bridges and structures, deeper into the mountain caverns.

The path was deserted, but they all knew that it wouldn't stay that way for long, as the echoing shrieks and footfalls of the goblins came from all around them, getting louder. They're like weaker Grimm, trying to overwhelm us with numbers. It was a common tactic in Remnant, where weaker forms of Grimm would charge in, trying to wear down their prey while the Alphas would wait and strike when ready. But these goblins lack the Alpha variants – well, aside from the King, but that goblin doesn't strike me as very mobile… Though without Aura, Ruby realized, the Dwarves can be felled by even the weakest goblin striking in the right place… Did I just think 'felled'? I guess the old style, Middle-Earth way of saying things is sinking in, she thought, amused at herself.

Her mind was quickly brought back to reality as the goblins started swarming after them, close behind. Ruby spotted one above, scuttling downwards on the cave's wall, about to leap at them and fired, the shot loudly echoing in the cavern, causing the Dwarves to involuntarily flinch – having nearly forgotten about her advanced weapon and what it could do, though they recovered without problem. She took out two more goblins before speeding up to stay with the Company. The path split into an upper and lower walkway, and the group also split with Ruby following the lower group. What even is this design anyway? These paths don't make any sense! They literally converge up ahead.

Ahead, Dwalin got the ingenious idea to take one of the walkway's posts and use it to sweep the goblins charging at them off of the path. Goblins were falling left and right, and from above as well as the upper group dealt with their opponents. As Ruby noticed, the paths reconvened and Gandalf took point, though it didn't matter much as goblins kept coming from every direction. Ruby shot and killed three more goblins that were trying to ambush Bifur before she had to defend herself. The familiar sound of Crescent Rose mechashifting into its scythe form was like music to her ears, and she began her spinning dance of death.

When it was time to join back with the Company, the bodies of over a dozen goblins surrounded her in various pieces and several scattered rose petals from her Semblance. Ruby felt some disgust at herself for killing living beings, as Grimm were monsters that left behind no corpses; but she also knew that these abominable creatures would willingly butcher anyone they could and were almost worse in some ways than the Grimm. At least the Grimm had the excuse that they were mindless and acted on instinct.

Ruby spotted some goblin archers taking aim, and she jumped in front of Balin, Nori, and Oin, her training letting her spin Crescent Rose to perfectly deflect the arrows shot at them, before returning fire, killing four more goblins. The three Dwarves gave their thanks, and Ruby just said, "No problem! Let's keep going!"

The Company pressed onwards, trusting Gandalf to lead them out of the labyrinth. Ruby had to admire the Dwarves' ingenuity and teamwork, using the structures and cunning to their advantage, turning the goblin's own creations against them. It's like watching my team in action, she thought fondly. There was a point where the walkway ended but the path continued onto the other side of the crevice, and they piled as close together as they could, somehow knowing what to do next. Kili cut a rope and their section of the walkway swung across the gap. Because of their angle however, only Bofur, Balin, Ori and Kili landed on the other side, and the walkway swung back.

Ruby quickly put Crescent Rose away, since they were so tightly packed, and drew Silver Thorn again. As the walkway swung back, several goblins jumped on, and Ruby hacked at one that got close. Thankfully, the walkway swung back and they all jumped off, someone cutting the last rope and letting the goblins fall with the wooden structure.

They fought a running battle, cutting down the goblins as they (sometimes literally) rained down on them. At one point, Gandalf and Thorin were side by side, and Gandalf shouted, "Thorin, with me! Bare your sword" Both of them held their swords outwards and the goblins advance halted when they saw the two hated swords side-by-side in front of them. They howled and cursed, but did not advance, for their fear stayed their feet. This action bought the company breathing room, but only for a moment as the goblins advanced upon them with greater ferocity.

They passed through a gap in the rocks and ran to a bridge that spanned a ravine. Just as they were crossing, the Goblin King burst up from the walkway, his mass halting the Company. The abruptness took Ruby off guard and her hesitation prevented her from cutting the Goblin King down, lest the rest of the Company get attacked while she was alone. The goblins quickly caught up and surrounded them on both sides of the ravine.

Gandalf was in front, facing the large goblin. "You thought you could escape me!" The Goblin King said, then smashed his staff down and swung, with Gandalf barely dodging the vicious attack. "What are you going to do now, Wizard?" The Goblin King taunted.

Gandalf lunged forward with his staff, poking the Goblin King in the face, and when he recoiled in pain, howling, the Wizard sliced the Goblin King's belly open. The Goblin King fell to his knees, holding his belly to prevent his innards from spilling out. The Goblin King fell silent, shocked, before he nodded to himself. "That'll do it."

With one last slice to his neck, Gandalf slew the Goblin King. When his body fell, the wooden walkway, already weakened, started to ominously creak and groan. Oh, this isn't good. Enraged by the death of their King, the goblins rushed forward, onto the bridge. That proved too much for it. The wood splintered and cracked, and the part of the bridge the Company was stood upon fell into the abyss.

They screamed and shouted in fright as they fell, in a parody of snowboarding they rode the bridge down the ravine, smashing through other structures as it made its decent. This is…! Ruby had no words for what was happening, but (later she would blame it on the adrenaline), gave a whoop of excitement.

They slid deeper and deeper into the mountain, until finally the bridge got caught and wedged between the rocks and slowed their fall until they hit the bottom. Then the wood collapsed on them, partially burying them in the universe's version of a period to their trip. Ruby rolled out of the pile onto her back, tossing a wooden plank off of her, groaning. Gandalf unburied himself and staggered out. The rest of the Dwarves took a moment to get their bearings. To quote Sis, "well, that was a thing."

"Now that could have been worse." Bofur said. Something about that suddenly tickled Ruby's mind, having watched so much T.V. But before she could say anything, the Goblin King's very heavycorpse fell atop them, causing a very vocal outcry of pain and curses. Ah, that's what it was. Never say something like 'that could've been worse' or 'what's the worse that could happen', because then it'll getworse.

"You've gotto be joking!" Dwalin incredulously grunted. That broke Ruby and she erupted into giggles. Now that was the period!

The Dwarves started dragging themselves out of the wreckage, and Ruby's giggling abated. But it soon stopped completely as the sounds of scuttling and clanking and shrieking grew louder. "Gandalf!" Kili shouted in panic. Ruby also saw the sight and she felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. Like an anthill that's been kicked, goblins were scurrying down towards them, too many to count.

"There's too many. We can't fight them." Dwalin said, his voice asking what to do.

"Only one thing will save us: daylight!" With an increased urgency, the Dwarves hauled themselves out of the wreckage and ran after Gandalf, still winding through the cave tunnels.

"What's daylight got to do with anything? Is it like the trolls where they turn to stone?" Ruby asked as they ran.

"Nay," Fili responded, "goblins can't stand sunlight, being created by evil as they are. But if there's some driving force behind them, then they bear it."

"Shouldn't have to worry about that though, now that that fat bastard is dead," Gloin added, running along side them, referring to the deceased Goblin King.

Ruby grunted in acknowledgement. What's that term for killing a king? Riceicide? Kingicide? Oh well, more important things to worry about. The tunnels they were going through seemed to be worn down and the stone carved out to make the path flatter. There were no structures, and only the occasional torches and crates off to the side. But there were still scattered pieces of bones – a lot of them.

Eventually, the glimmer of sunlight was spotted after they rounded a corner. "This way! Come on, quickly now!" Gandalf said, motioning the Company to go ahead of him. Ruby was desperate to see daylight; after so long being in a storm or underground, along with the lack of sleep she didn't even know what time of day it was, as time seemed to blur together. She almost used her Semblance to get out, but held back only just. The Company soon burst out of the mountains and headed downhill, breathing in the fresh air and light. They'd apparently gone through the entire mountain range and come out the other side.

A downhill scramble started as the Company put as much distance as they could between them and the goblin tunnels. The sun was getting lower in the sky and Ruby felt a tiny bit of despair seeing it so low. We just got out of the dark, why does it have to be night soon?

Several minutes later, the Company slowed to a halt as they gathered their breath. Gandalf started counting the members of the Company, getting a headcount, making sure everyone was there. "And Bombur, that makes fourteen." No, wait! We forgot Bilbo! "Where's Bilbo?" Gandalf then asked, realizing the same thing. "Where is our Hobbit?"

Nobody had an answer for him, as the Dwarves looked at each other, wondering the same thing. "Where is our Hobbit?!" Gandalf concernedly shouted.

"Curse that Halfling," Dwalin spat. "Now he's lost?"

"I thought he was with Dori!" Gloin exclaimed.

"Don't blame me!" Dori protested.

"Well, where did you last see him?" Gandalf asked.

"I don't know!" Ruby interjected. "I didn't see him when we were getting led away."

"I think I saw him slip away when they first collared us," Nori said, having the first bit of useful information.

"And what happened, exactly? Tell me!" Gandalf demanded.

"I'll tell you what happened," Thorin then said, and Ruby just knew he was going to gripe about Bilbo again. "Master Baggins saw his chance and he took it. He has thought of nothing but his soft bed and his warm hearth since first he stepped out of his door. We will not be seeing our Hobbit again. He is long gone."

"I have had it!" Everyone was shocked when they suddenly heard Ruby shout, Ruby included. "I have had it with you constantly belittling Bilbo. He's done nothing to deserve you saying such things about him. He may not be the bravest person there is, but he's braver than most. Others wouldn't have even gone out their front door, and yet he's been with us all the way. And now he's lost somewhere in that mountain. I don't know about you, but I'm ready to go back in and search for him, on my own if need be," Ruby turned and spoke to the other Dwarves.

No one spoke. Thorin had a gruff look on his face, but seemed to have calmed. The others had regretful or thoughtful expressions. I can't believe that all of them would give up on Bilbo. I won't let him stay lost in that mountain – I meant every word.

Before she did anything though, someone spoke. "No need. I'm right here."

"Bilbo!" Ruby shot forwards and tackled the Hobbit in a hug, rose petals fluttering in the air, then let go when she realized she knocked him over. "Sorry! Sorry!" There were shocked and relieved gasps from some of the Dwarves at his reappearance, and Ruby was elated at seeing him safe and sound.

"Bilbo Baggins! I have never been so glad to see anyone in my life," Gandalf said, laughing. Bilbo waved and acknowledged the Company, coming closer.

"Bilbo! We'd given you up," Kili said, glad to see him.

"How on earth did you get past the Goblins?" Fili asked, amazed.

"How, indeed," Dwalin murmured, suspicious and less enthusiastic.

Bilbo looked around, realizing that they were expecting an answer. He chuckled, and even Ruby could tell that it was somewhat forced and awkward. "Oh, you know, just crept along – very carefully and quietly." It was the truth, though Ruby had the suspicion that it wasn't all of it.

"Well what does it matter? He's back," Gandalf said.

"It matters? I want to know," Thorin abruptly said. "Why did you come back?" He questioned the Hobbit. Ruby blinked, not expecting that question. I thought he was going to interrogate Bilbo… Maybe I need to have a bit more faith in Thorin.

Bilbo was silent for a moment, thinking of his answer. "Look I know you doubt me. I know–I know you always have," he mildly stuttered. "And you're right. I often think of Bag-end. I miss my books. And my armchair and my garden. See, that's where I belong," he said, working his way to the point. "That's home. And that's why I came back. Because… you don't have one. A home. It was taken from you. But I will help you take it back if I can. Because I don't think I could look at myself again if I didn't try."

Thorin was silent, as were the rest of the Company, Bilbo's words touching their hearts, speaking to their souls. Ruby just smiled fondly. Well spoken. I knew that he could pull through and find his courage eventually.

The moment was broken by the ominous howling of wolves. Far too close to be unconcerned and too numerous to ignore. The Company went on alert, ready to fight and run once more. "Out of the frying pan…" Thorin muttered.

"And into the fire," Gandalf finished the saying. Run!"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Galen: Sooooo... yeah.

Ruby: Yep.

G: Should I even try to give an excuse?

R: At this point, I don't think it matters. Me threatening you with Crescent Rose didn't even do anything.

G: *Sigh* So welcome back everybody! I'm so sorry for the delay and this time it's just me and poor time management and procrastination. And I'm not in college anymore so I can't use that as an excuse anymore.

R: Congrats on that by the way. Wish I had legit graduated from Beacon, but, well...

G: Yeah. Anyway, thank you everybody that Read, Reviewed, Favorited, and Followed in the 14 months since I last updated. I haven't forgotten this story, and we're almost done with the first movie. I know this chapter is a little shorter than the previous ones, but I don't think that it really needed to be any longer. And most of the length added to the others was through dialogue, which there really isn't a lot of - or at least the sheer quantity of - in this chapter. (On a side note, the next chapter will finish the first movie, and there's less than 30 minutes including credits, so I don't know how long it'll be. Just a warning.)

R: There was more fighting though, that's my forte!

G: Right about that. Maybe instead of Goblin Slayer, the show should just be called Ruby Rose.

R: Boo!

G: What? I thought that was clever, y'know, since the show follows a character named Goblin Slayer and you were slaying goblins in this chapter.

R: Just no. You don't even watch that anime Galen!

G: Hush you. On a side note, I kinda want to watch that show because of this chapter. On another side note, I never want to type "Goblin King" again. It was annoying to have to use that title because he didn't have a name and got tired of it every time I wanted to have him say something.

Anyway, it's been long enough that this chapter may read differently than the previous ones - subtle style changes and me trying different things. I think I did a good job though blending elements of the book into the movie, the 'song' the... GK sings (almost typed it again) (and I know that he has some sort of rendition in the extended edition, but I don't have nor could I find a clip of it), and descriptions of places and dialogue tweaks are the main things I can think of. And to be perfectly honest, I didn't want to write out the movie version of the Company's escape, as it's just too much - in more ways than one.

R: While that would be more suited for Remnant, what happened in the movie was nearly unbelievable. Seriously, that last bit with the wooden bridge staying intact while smashing through other structures? Causing a bolder to roll over the goblins just perfectly? And don't get me started on Kili blocking arrows with a ladder. Peter Jackson did some strange things in the Hobbit movies.

G: That he did, though I give him a pass. And there's one last major talking point I want to discuss. Obviously this story is from Ruby's perspective mainly, though on occasion I add other character's POV's, or at least a 3rd person POV for other scenes. The Riddles in the Dark scene was completely cut out as Ruby wasn't there. And that goes on to my talking point; where in certain crossover stories, the character happens to be involved in or hears every single scene, even though it would not be physically feasible - they'd have to hurry from scene to scene to make it. You know those stories.

I briefly thought about Ruby waking up to hear Bilbo and Bofur talking in the cave, but decided against it and switched to Bilbo's POV. Definitely the right choice. And didn't even want to think about including Ruby in the Riddles scene; it would change far too much, things would happen differently, and the story of The Hobbit and eventually LOTR could completely change. Call me unimaginative and less daring, it also gives me more control over how I want the story to go and change. A major change like that would have far more ripples than I ever would want to think about.

R: Hurts my head and I'm not even writing it.

G: Ruby, your head hurts thinking about magnets.

R: IT'S BLACK MAGIC I TELL YOU!

G: Ignoring Ruby, just a fun fact, according to my records (and I did in fact go back and count them) Ruby has 49 bullets left.

R: Looking back, I should've used less during this chapter - the goblins weren't worth it. Spiders however...

G: That's later. In any case, there's one last thing: something strange happened when I copy-pasted this into FF docs, where anything that was italicized was joined with the next word ( likethis or like.This) I think I got all of them, but if you saw anything like that in this chapter, just know it's not a typo I made, but one the computer did that I didn't catch. Also the fact that it's approaching midnight as I'm writing this again and I'm dead tired.

R: Aaaand that about wraps it up. Galen's going to be mainly working on On The Road, Far From Home next (something that's FAR overdue), and he's massively editing every chapter - almost re-writing them so it's better. No major plot points will change, but it will be like a fresh coat of paint. He'll be replacing each chapter when the newest one comes out, so there'll be no notification aside from what he puts in the newest chapter, so just an fyi.

G: I'm also working on other projects as well, though you won't see them until I make more progress on ones I've already started - Stark Contrast isn't dead either!

But yeah! Hope you enjoyed the chapter and was worth the wait. Read, Review, Favorite, and Follow, and I'll see you all later.

R: Don't forget to check out his YouTube channel! That's one of the reasons it's taken so long to write stuff.

G: Thanks Ruby, and I'll see you later.

R: Bye!~

Chapter length: 9,262 (according to MS Word, though FF dot net says over 9,500)