Disclaimer: I do not own The Hobbit etc.

The sound of swords clanging together echoed throughout the halls of Erebor. Two dwarves made their way through the mountain, each blocking the harsh blows of the other. Eventually, the larger dwarf, Thorin, knocked the other's sword to the ground. The smaller dwarf quickly looked around and stepped behind a stone statue.

'Very heroic, Clover,' said Thorin, approaching the statue.

Clover said nothing but knelt down to the ground, out of Thorin's sight. Thorin stepped around the statue with one foot – this was Clover's chance. Staying close to the statue, she swivelled around in the opposite direction, picked up her fallen sword and rested it gently against Thorin's back whilst standing up. Thorin sighed and sheathed his sword.

'You win,' he grumbled.

Clover laughed as they made their way to armoury.

'You need to learn to adapt to your surroundings, Thorin,' she said, 'you are not always going to have your sword with you.'

'Well, your performance was not completely faultless either,' he replied, grumpily.

'What did I do wrong?' snapped Clover, offended.

Thorin whirled round, his sword in his hand, and against Clover's neck.

'You are easily distracted. You let your guard down,' he said with a smug grin.

Clover narrowed her eyes and moved her head away from the sword. Before Thorin could blink, she kicked his feet from under him. He fell onto his back and Clover knelt next to him, her sword aimed at his neck, her long black hair falling over her shoulder.

'Well, you are too slow.'

Thorin raised an eyebrow and flipped her over. Clover dropped her sword.

'You,' Thorin paused, 'are too easy to lift up.'

He leaned forward slowly, staring into her brown eyes. Their faces were less than an inch away from each other. As the gap between them was about to disappear, a sound like a hurricane whistled through the air. Thorin looked up, his face serious. He stood, helping Clover to her feet. They ran through the halls and to the battlements. The wind was blowing harshly; flags were flying off their poles. Thorin examined the scene for less than a second.

'Balin, sound the alarm.'

Clover ducked, pulling Balin out of the way as a flag and its pole hurtled down towards them.

'Call out the guard. Do it now!' shouted Thorin, rushing back inside.

'What is it?' Balin called after him.

'Dragon,' he said, before turning and shouting it through the halls.

As he shouted, fire rained down towards the battlements. Thorin rushed back to Balin and Clover, dragging them back inside and out of harm's way. Dale, the city in the shadow of the mountain, was torn apart by the flames and wind. Screams came from all directions as soldiers tried to attack the enormous creature.

The armoury of Erebor was soon crowded with dwarves ready to fight. Clover passed her sword to a soldier as she readied the axe that had been attached to her side. She glanced at Thorin who gave her a hopeful nod as the dwarves charged towards the doors of the mountain. They all stood still, waiting for the dragon to burst through the doors. It did not take long. The doors fell to pieces as fire shot through the entrance. Dwarves were thrown violently against the walls. Clover went flying onto her side and Thorin had fallen right next to her. The dragon charged into the mountain.

'The King!' exclaimed, Clover.

'I will find him,' said Thorin, 'you need to get out of here.'

Clover shook her head, 'I'm coming with you!'

'No! Get out. That is an order.'

Thorin was about to stand but looked back at Clover. Quickly, he kissed her, holding her face in his hands. As their lips drew away from each other, he looked into her eyes.

'Be safe,' he said quietly.

Thorin stood and made his way to throne room. Clover pushed herself to her feet and headed towards the broken doors. She lifted up a fallen soldier on her way, pulling him out of the mountain with her.

The dwarves of Erebor soon slowed down to a weary walk once they were far enough away from their home. The injured soldier was taken from Clover and helped by his family, leaving Clover to find Thorin. She searched through the crowds for his blue clothing amongst the greys and browns and eventually spotted him with his father and grandfather. She ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck as he hugged her tightly.

'Are you alright?' she asked, then looked at Thorin's family, 'is everyone alright?'

Thrór began to weep loudly into his son's shoulder.

'What happened?' Clover asked Thorin.

Thorin sighed, 'He lost the Arkenstone.'

Clover exhaled harshly, trying not to let out a whimper as she did so, 'So, what do we do now? Where do we go?'

'I do not know,' replied Thorin.