The Hobbit: Odd Love in Strange Times

Chapter 1 of a new Hobbit story, a BOTFA AU; just a few notes, in this Thorin does not fall victim to Gold Sickness and is more willing to help those in Lake-Town. He also is willing to put his distaste of Elves aside, in order to deal with a bigger threat. Just a note this is completely separate from my other Hobbit story, just to avoid any confusion.

Pairings: Bain/OC, Fili/Sigrid, Kili/Tauriel.

Disclaimer: The Hobbit and associated works belong to JRR Tolkien; Peter Jackson and other associated companies.

Chapter 1

Bilbo Baggins looked out over the smoking remains of what was once Lake-Town; feeling a mixture of relief and concern. The dragon Smaug had been slain; they had witnessed it from the very mountain where they now stood, not far from Erebor. After burning and attacking most of the town, he had been slain and fell on the town, reducing it to its current state.

He looked around at his companions, the Dwarves he had travelled so far with, so long ago, at the beginning of the journey. They all looked towards the ruined town with similar expressions; four of them had stayed behind in Lake-Town, for varying reasons and now there was fear they could have died. That wasn't the only concern for them either.

'The people of Lake-Town, if they survived they, they'll need help…They'll need the gold they were promised.' Bilbo noted to himself.

He turned his head towards the leader of their company, Thorin Oakenshield. Unlike the others, his expression was unreadable.

'Thorin's grandfather fell victim to gold sickness…What if, what if Thorin…But…' Bilbo shook his head, clearing his thoughts.

He didn't want to think that way about the Dwarf whom he had come to respect and even regard as a friend. He knew, despite his impassiveness, that Thorin must be concerned, two of the Dwarves that stayed behind were his nephews and, since he had no children of his own, heirs after all.

Finally turning his attention back to the ruined town Bilbo sighed.

"Well it, it's over." He said at last.

Thorin finally stirred and shook his head. "Smaug is dead, the town is destroyed; but it's not over. The people of Lake-Town will head for Dale, and will likely come to us for aid."

Bilbo turned to him along with the other Dwarves. "You really think they could have survived that?"

"There will be survivors; Smaug wasn't exactly subtle." Thorin replied. "They will have had warning. But that's not all, now that we have the mountain, we will be found…Azog."

Bilbo froze at the mention of the Pale Orc, he had almost forgotten about him.

Thorin nodded. "He will come at us in force now. We don't know if he has an army, or simply a war pack; but we can't take chances, we must reinforce our defences and be prepared to help the survivors that arrive."

Bilbo nodded and then Dwalin spoke up. "We better hurry then, the others have already returned to the Mountain."

Bilbo noticed this was true and began to make his way back. He overheard however, what was being said between the two Dwarves.

"There's been no sign of the Arkenstone." Dwalin was saying carefully.

Thorin sighed. "We must find it, it's there somewhere…Whenever we have a chance, we look for it, until then, focus on improving the defences, and be ready for those from Lake Town."

Bilbo bit his lip at this and surreptitiously touched his pocket where said jewel was hidden. Unnoticed by the Dwarves he pretended nothing had happened and they headed back towards the mountain.

Bard sighed, wondering if saving Alfrid had been the right choice. But he had seen so much death in the space of a few hours, he was sick of it. He didn't want there to be any more, there was no need for there to be any more. He looked around briefly, noticing the survivors, as well as what they were able to salvage. It wasn't looking good.

In that moment however he was distracted from these thoughts when he was nearly knocked off his feet by the person embracing him.

"Da, you're alive!" Sigrid cried.

Bard smiled and returned the embrace. "It's alright Sigrid, we made it."

He was referring of course to himself and his son, Bain, who had stayed behind in the burning Lake-Town to help him kill the dragon. Bain stood next his father and older sister, smiling, until he too was nearly knocked off his feet, by his younger sister Tilda.

"Da, Bain!" The young girl cried in relief as the townsfolk all murmured, still surprised by their survival.

Not too long afterwards, Bard and his family began helping the townsfolk as they gathered all their supplies together, to try and find out what they had. Bard had noticed the different way they were treating him and his family now, to them he was now a hero, a Dragonslayer. While their former ruler, the Master of Lake-Town tried to flee, Bard had stayed to fight; earning their respect and admiration.

Slightly separate from the rest of his family, Bain continued to work, yet was also looking around, concerned.

"Bain."

He turned, smiling as he heard the familiar voice.

Approaching him was a girl the same age as him, she was rather tall for her age, being nearly the same height as him with long black hair and dark brown eyes. She was slightly pudgy although not fat, clad in a simple rough peasant dress. Her posture made it clear she was strong, not afraid of challenging authority yet also kind and caring towards those she cared for.

Bain stepped closer to her; relief growing inside him. "Elisa."

He whispered her name, almost like a prayer. She smiled and they embraced. Elisa was the daughter of Finn, Lake-Town's blacksmith and his wife Melynda. She and Bain were also very close; Bain would even say, in love. But they were tentative, slow, mainly as their relationship was relatively new.

"You're alive." He remarked in relief. "I was afraid that…"

Elisa pulled back, looking him directly in the eye. "I'm the one who should be saying that. You stayed behind in Lake-Town while it burned…"

She smacked his chest and shook her head. "Never do that to me again."

"Sorry, but I had to help Da, it was the only way to kill the dragon". He told her softly.

She sighed but then smiled and they gently kissed briefly before parting and continuing to work, although they remained close to each other.

Elsewhere in the crowd, Sigrid was busy gathering what medical supplies had been salvaged. She glanced over at the Dwarves that were still present. Kili seemed to have made a full recovery and was talking happily with the red haired female Elf who had saved him. The two older Dwarves, Oin and Bofur if she remembered their names right, were watching this warily.

She couldn't see the blonde Dwarf, Fili, however. That was, until he appeared next to her.

"Are you alright Sigrid?" He asked, making her jump. "You look troubled."

She turned to him, feeling the heat rise to her face. "Oh, Fili I...No, it's nothing major, I'm just concerned."

Fili quirked an eyebrow at that. "Concerned, Sigrid, you should be happy, your father, your siblings, so many here have survived."

"But where will we go from here, we can't stay here, what with winter approaching and all, we'll freeze." She replied; desperation in her voice.

Fili however did his best to reassure her. "Everything will be fine, I'm sure your father will think of something."

Sigrid nodded, feeling hopeful. Sure enough, Bard had a plan; he had finished talking to Percy, who Bard knew could be trusted and so had found himself as Bard's second in command, and they had agreed on a course of action. Bard turned and began to address the crowd, who stopped and turned to him; listening.

"Everyone, we cannot remain here; but there is somewhere we can do, something we must do." He looked around, the crowd watched him with intent, with hope; they knew the dangers of staying here after all. "We can go to Dale; Thorin Oakenshield made a deal with us, we must speak with him, see that he keeps it, it won't be easy, I cannot ask you to follow me. But I see this as our best chance. If anyone does not wish to follow, or has other ideas, other roads open to them, I will respect that."

The crowd was greatly moved by this and, in spite of his words, the all opted to follow him to Dale. The Dwarves and the female Elf even agreed to accompany them too. Bard let out a slow breath, this was it, the decision had been made, now they began travelling, heading for Dale.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.